Lebanon Day in Cleveland November 22, 2011
Cleveland City Hall
The first Lebanese Independence Day took place on November 22, 1943 in remembrance of the liberation from the French Mandate which was exercised over Lebanese soil for over 23 years.
In 2011, the first Lebanon Day in the city of Cleveland was celebrated. The Lebanese flag flew from the top of Cleveland City Hall and a special ceremony was held in City Hall Rotunda.
Elizabeth Unis Chesko, Professor of Music at Cleveland State University, sang the United State National Anthem.
Elizabeth Unis Chesko
Tony Mikhael sang the National Anthem of Lebanon.
Tony Mikhael
Father Peter Karam of Cleveland's Saint Maron Parish offered the invocation.
Father Peter Karam
Abdulla (Abby) Mina served as Master of Ceremonies for the event.
Abdulla (Abby) Mina
Cleveland Ward 14 Councilman Brian Cummins congratulated the Lebanese American community in Cleveland at the Lebanon Day celebration at Cleveland City Hall. "The ethnic diversity of Cleveland is one of our biggest strengths."
Abe Mina, Councilman Zack Reed, Pierre Bejjani and Councilman Cummins
Proclamations and acknowledgments were given to and by Mayor Frank Jackson, Valarie McCall, Councilman Brian Cummins and others.
Mayor Frank Jackson and Pierre Bejjani
Abe Mina, Mayor Frank Jackson and Pierre Bejjani
Pierre Bejjani and Valarie McCall
Pierre Bejjani and Mayor Frank Jackson
Pierre Bejjani and Councilman Brian Cummins
Jihad Bejjani (Pierre's Uncle) from Kahale, Lebanon
Pierre Bejjani, President of the Northern Ohio Lebanese American Association (NOLAA), spoke at the Lebanon Day celebration at Cleveland City Hall.
Pierre Bejjani
Nemer Soueidi
Issam Boudiab, leader of the dance group Ajyal, with Mayor Jackson
Councilman Joe Cimperman, Pierre Bejjani and Councilman Brian Cummins
The Naoum Family
Maya Abi-Akl, Mayor Jackson and Said Abi-Akl
Tony Abdelkarim, Pierre Bejjani, Tammore Gemayel and Brian Cummins
Ramona Anton, Berenice Joseph, Rose Heathcote and Michael Joseph
