Engaging for Lebanon: Our events and activities
Discover the diverse initiatives and impactful events led by SOUL4LEBANON. From policy advocacy in Washington to cultural diplomacy and memorial efforts, we are dedicated to fostering a stable, sovereign, and democratic Lebanon.
Policy advocacy & strategic analysis
SOUL4LEBANON provides critical insights and engagement on Lebanese political and security developments. Our work includes briefings for congressional offices, active engagement with the U.S. State Department and federal agencies, and coordination with bipartisan think tanks. We focus on crisis communication and civil peace messaging, ensuring Lebanon's voice is heard where it matters most.
Washington matters for Lebanon
Washington, as the global center for U.S. foreign policy, congressional decision-making, international diplomacy, and media influence, is a strategic pillar for our efforts. SOUL’s presence ensures Lebanon’s voice is effectively represented, contributing to a lasting legacy as a credible policy actor and a bridge between Lebanon and U.S. institutions.
Cultural diplomacy
We integrate Lebanese heritage into our Washington work through various cultural initiatives. This includes art exhibitions, traditional cultural dinners, and community gatherings that celebrate Lebanese traditions. We also host heritage presentations and engage with Arab-American cultural institutions to strengthen diaspora cohesion and foster soft-power partnerships.
August 4 memorial & cultural resistance
SOUL4LEBANON is a leading diaspora movement dedicated to preserving the memory of the Beirut Port Explosion through art, culture, and public advocacy. Our initiatives include annual memorial art galleries in Beirut, Byblos, and Bejje, featuring our signature "Keep Their Memories Alive" exhibition. We curate shows with renowned Lebanese artists and host art competitions that focus on justice, memory, and national resilience, engaging hundreds of students and emerging artists. We also actively engage with families of victims, participate in memorial ceremonies, and advocate with U.S. and French institutions.
The Pen: Poets in the Park — SOUL's correction effort
SOUL’s Cultural Diplomacy in Action
NYC Parks Correction — The Pen: Poets in the Park
When New York City installed The Pen: Poets in the Park at Elizabeth H. Berger Plaza in April 2026, the monument aimed to celebrate nine influential writers of the Mahjar movement. Yet its interpretive plaque introduced a significant historical inaccuracy by identifying all nine poets as “Syrian.” This designation reflected an outdated Ottoman-era immigration label once used by U.S. officials, not the writers’ actual birthplaces.
This misattribution erased a core part of Lebanese literary heritage.
SOUL’s research established the correct record: seven of the nine poets were born in present‑day Lebanon, while two were born in Homs, Syria. Recognizing the importance of historical precision in public cultural representation, SOUL documented these findings and initiated a formal correction process with NYC Parks.
VDL Interview—Pierre Maroun
This effort reflects SOUL’s cultural diplomacy in action—ensuring that public monuments honor the identities and legacies of Levantine writers accurately and respectfully.
NYC Parks Correction — The Pen: Poets in the Park
On June 2, 2026, we followed up with Mr. Jonathan Kuhn of NYC Parks regarding the progress on the historical clarification and correction of the park monument.
Mr. Kuhn confirmed that "NYC Parks has amended the interpretive sign language to more clearly state that the majority of the vanished community known as “Little Syria” or the “Syrian Quarter” was from Lebanon and that the relevant authors referenced in the sign and artwork will be explicitly identified as “from Lebanon.”
Pierre A. Maroun
President Shields of United Lebanon.
Advocacy throughcultural & social events
SOUL4LEBANON hosts a variety of events that celebrate Lebanese culture, support local communities, and foster connections among expatriates and friends of Lebanon.
Christmas recitals
Join us for free Christmas recitals featuring choirs, musicians, and family gatherings in Bejje, Byblos, and Beirut.
Lebanese product expos
Discover showcases of local crafts, foods, and artisanal goods, supporting small producers and rural entrepreneurs.
Cheese and wine evenings
Experience cultural gatherings for expatriate families visiting Lebanon, celebrating Lebanese hospitality and heritage.
New Year's Eve celebrations
Participate in free New Year's Eve and holiday celebrations for communities with food, music, and activities for all.