It is the season of giving!
Every year the Monegasque association Les Amis du Liban, created in 2002 and presided by Bouran Bouery Hallani, Goodwill UN Ambassador for West Europe, organizes a Christmas event for children, in the presence of the association’s patron Didier Dechamps, the coach of the French National team who offered France the Soccer World Cup in 2018, and a long time friend of Bouran. The festive program at the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel on Wednesday, December 19, 2018, started in the afternoon with gift giving, autograph signing session, delicious snacks and ludic and sportive activities. To honor the success of the famous French coach, children of Monaco and surrounding areas had the chance to spend time with the world champion, who has been relentlessly supporting the association for a decade, and was very happy to offer children a memorable holiday celebration alongside the traditional Santa Claus.
The festivities were followed in the evening with the association’s annual charity Christmas dinner at the Monte-Carlo Bay, organized under the High Patronage of HSH Prince Albert II, and in the presence of Stephane Valeri, President of the Monaco Conseil National, Gerard Spinelli, Mayor of Beausoleil, and of course Didier Dechamps and his spouse Claude.
The young Monegasque pianist Stella Almondo made the honors of giving her first recital in the Principality, after her success in the Young Chopin contest earlier in the Autumn. The animations also included a DJ, the magician Julie Manry, and Hakim Benlakehal the freestyle soccer who shared the field with Dechamps. And as added surprise for everybody, Florent Torres former The Voice finalist and young revelation singer Madison, recent finalist from the Voice Kids delighted the guests with her songs.
Lebanese journalist and TV personality Lama Lawand presented the actions of the Monegasque association as well as their new projects to help children in need. An auction of items offered by generous donors took place during the event, that will help the association finance new projects during the coming year, such as the educational and sportive development of Lebanese children and in the region, offering an education support and soccer internships that are so dear to Didier Dechamps, summarized in the Latin phrase Mens sana in corpore sano!
Today’s Quote
“Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need.”Kahlil Gibran
Monaco Reporter 