The USEK Choir returned to Lebanon after a tour in Cyprus, following the participation of 40 musicians in a musical event gathering European and Arabic choirs, organized by the Epilogi cultural movement of Limassol. This event was held from September 22 to 24, 2011 with the participation of 13 choirs from eight different countries: Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Estonia, Serbia, Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon.
Conducted by Rev. Fr. Youssef Tannous, Dean of the USEK Faculty of Music, the USEK Choir participated in a concert on Friday, September 23, performing from its repertoire of sacred music inspired from the Syriac and Byzantine Maronite heritage, as well as popular and patriotic songs. The Choir participated as well in the closing ceremony held in the ancient Roman stadium in Curium, a village near Limassol. Fr. Tannous presented a lecture on the Lebanese heritage music and ran as well a workshop in which participated Arab and European vocalists.
The Choir moved to Nicosia on Sunday 25, and served the Holy Mass presided by the Maronite Archbishop of Cyprus Youssef Soueif at the Maronite Cathedral. On the evening of the same day, the Choir took part in a big concert in the monastery of St. Elias, in the presence of several Cypriot and Maronite dignitaries and eminent personalities from the Lebanese diaspora.