Russian embassy honours Notre Dame University

The Russian embassy in Lebanon, represented by Ambassador Alexander Zasypkin, has honoured Lebanes academics. Among them was Fr Walid Moussa, President of Notre Dame University, Dr Abdo Kahi, Head of the Lebanese Centre for Societal Research and Suhail Matar, the University Vice President. The ceremony was held on the occasion of the university’s silver jubilee and in recognition of the institutes' contribution in the fields of education and research. After the singing of both national anthems, the chairman of the Russian-Lebanese House Dr Suhail Farah delivered a speech in which he praised the positive interactive relationship of the university with Russian culture. After the speech, there was a mixture of poetry recited in Arabic, French and Russian accompanied with guitar tones. The Russian ambassador expressed his pleasure at participating in the event. He thanked the university for its positive role in the cultural dialogue in Russo-Lebanese relations, stating: “I think we have a bright future ahead of us in terms of cooperation, opening new chapters and sustaining joint efforts.” For his part, Moussa thanked the Russian ambassador, saying: “Our relations with the Russian Cultural Council and the Russian-Lebanese House are deep, as we believe that culture has no limits.” In turn, Kahi thanked the Russian ambassador for this initiative, while Matar spoke of culture being limitless and not affected by geographical, religious, ethnic or national disputes. At the end of the event honourary medals were handed out.