On December 6, 2013 the second annual AL BAYAN Awards Night took place in the Church Hall of the Haigazian University, featuring Lebanon’s most famous talk show host, Mr. Marcel Ghanem, as the keynote speaker and guest of honor. The hall was packed with Armenian school principals, educators, academicians, students and parents as well as representatives of the Executive Board of the Foundation as well as Mrs. Goguikian, the wife of the late Ambassador Jean Goguikian in whose name the Foundation was founded.

After the welcoming words OF the Foundation, delivered by the Executive Director Mrs. Soheila Hayek, the guest of honor and keynote speaker Mr. Marcel Ghanem was invited to deliver his speech.

Ghanem expressed his admiration to the Armenians in Lebanon and their success story. He highlighted the fact that Armenians were able to remain attached to their identity, but also embrace a new culture and language in their new home, Lebanon. Ghanem added that “every language is a human, it is a nation, it is a culture…”

Finally, the results of AL BAYAN ARABIC ESSAY COMPETITION were announced. Christine Jiberian, from Hripsimiantz College, won first place. The School of the winner also received the Al Bayan Trophy, given to its principal Sister Arminé Magarossian who will keep it at the school for one year.

Joseph Chadarevian, from Mesrobian Secondary School and Salpy Ghanimian, from Harboyan High School were tied for the second place due to their convergent results, while Jirayer Aoun, from C.H.S Ashrafieh took the third place.

Also, the teachers of Arabic in Armenian School and the members of the Jury Dr. Jean Salmanian from Haigazian University, Dr. Antoine Abdo from LAU University and Mrs. Samia Abou Akl from USJ University were honored.