The echo of the first Lebanese Philatelic Exhibition

Claudio Ernesto Mario Manzati has sent us the following report from Beirut.

Three years ago, when Billy Karam submitted the application for the Lebanese Association of Philately (LAP) to join FEPA, he could not have imagined such public success, media coverage and active participation by the most important public and political authorities in Lebanon.

Perhaps it was the date chosen, 22 November, Lebanon’s Independence Day in 1943; or perhaps it was the location, the Sofitel le Gabriel, coincidentally located on Rue de l’Indépendance, in the city centre; or perhaps it was the 500 metres of available space (the entire second floor), which accommodated the collections and 20 dealer tables, along with the Lebanese Post Office, which had issued a miniature sheet commemorating the event.

Among the authorities present were the Governor of Beirut, Mr Marwan Abboud; the Minister of Telecommunications, Mr Charles Hajj; the Minister of Tourism, Ms Laura Khazen Lahoud; the Minister of Information, Mr Paul Morcos; and former Prime Minister, Mr Tammam Salam, son of one of the founders of the state in 1943.

On Saturday, 22 November, at the Grand Opening, officiated by Fadi Nicolas Barcha, the first speaker that addressed the audience was Billy Karam, LAP President, who welcomed the guests. He was followed by Benoit Gervais, CEO of the Yvert & Tellier Catalogue; Claudio Ernesto Mario Manzati, FEPA Director, who read the message from Bill Hedley, FEPA President; and Charles Hajj, Minister of Telecommunications.

The exhibition, comprising 27 collections in 45 frames, continued on Sunday, 23 June, again with a large turnout and great satisfaction among dealers across Lebanon. Thanks in part to the great vitality of President Billy Karam, the organisational skills demonstrated by the LAP team will enable Lebanon to aspire to its next event right away, taking a further leap forward by organising a competitive exhibition under the auspices of FEPA. I was honoured to have had the opportunity and pleasure to participate in this wonderful event and to enjoy Lebanese hospitality.

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