Within the framework of Al Bustan International Festival 2012, on the theme of “Music from Latin America”, the Latin American Studies and Cultures Center (CECAL) of the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik presented two exhibitions: “Mahjar, Lebanese Emigration to Latin America”, a collection of old pictures by Roberto Khatlab and The Lebanese Emigration Research Center (LERC-NDU), and “Amazonia”, a collection of photographs by Jacques Menassa.

The exhibitions took place from February 21 till March 25, 2012 in Emile Bustani Auditorium, Gallery - Al Bustan Hotel, Beit Mery.

Mahjar, Lebanese Emigration to Latin America
Collection by Roberto Khatlab, Director of CECAL, published in his book Mahjar, Lebanese saga in Brazil

Relations between nations are mainly characterized by objective, diplomatic, political and economic reasons, which determine mutual interests. Nevertheless, between Lebanon and Latin American, they do not follow the same rules since the uniqueness of relations between the two regions is based on an exchange of life, which has led to the largest Lebanese colony abroad.
The exhibition of old pictures (end of the 19th century - beginning of the 20th century) represents an iconographic overview of history and the sociology of the Lebanese emigration in Latin America.


Amazonia
Collection by Jacques Menassa, Photographer and USEK Alumnus

The Amazonia represents a collection of tropical places occupying more than 7,5 million km2, located in the center of South America, covering nine countries: Brazil (69% of the Amazon), Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Bolivia and Peru.
“Amazonia”, this magical word, has been, since ever, the dream of every adventurer, filmmaker, photographer and researcher…
The exhibition displays “colour photos representing the beauty of the Amazonia… Colours are strong since it is an Amazonian feature which underlines an artistic and at the same time a documentary dimension...”.