Honorary Consulate of Lebanon in Vancouver, BC 

Inauguration

Recent Lebanese Emigration

  • The first Lebanese emigrants arrived to Victoria in 1888

○ Rashid and Fares Rahi followed by their third brother Abraham in 1889

  • The Lebanese Emigration to BC is an ongoing process that is represented today by the Bronze Statue

Ancient Lebanese Emigration

  • The migration of our Phoenician ancestors in the Mediterranean Sea and beyond.
  • Greek Mythology: Europa, Zeus and Cadmus

○ Historians determined that “both Europa and Cadmus must have been real historical figures…who symbolize the first chapter in the history of the Lebanese-Phoenician expansion in the world.”

  • Cedar Wood Trade

○ Building ships from Lebanese cedar trees and exporting goods.

Historical Connection

  • Europa

○ Phoenician princess was abducted by Zeus (Greek God who transformed himself into a white bull) 
○ The continent of Europe is named after her.

  • King Agynor of Tyre

○ Ordered his 3 boys to search for their sister Europa:

  1. Cadmus brought the Phoenician alphabet to Greece
  2. Cilix went to Cilicia
  3. Phoenix went to Libya

The Lebanese Emigrant Plaza in Centennial Park

  • The platform shape was inspired by a Phoenician-Roman hippodrome surrounded by 3 walls.
  • The walls will display 3 Phoenician artifacts that depict the start of the Lebanese emigration during ancient time:
  1. Europa and the Bull
  2. Phoenician Alphabet
  3. Phoenician Trade

Artifacts Details

Each artifact, weighing 100 kg and dimensions 120cm x 110cm x 4cm, is made of granite from the Lebanese Mountain of Jezzine and carved by famous Lebanese artist Joseph Ghanem  

Europa and the Bull
Phoenician Alphabet - Cadmus
Cedar Wood Trade

Diversity

This project showcases diversity through its:

  • Design: Hippodrome and 2 levels (Phoenician and Roman)
  • Artefacts: Phoenician-Lebanese Heritage and Greek Mythology and EU
  • ○
    Cadmus declared the first teacher by the UNESCO
  • ○
    Cedar wood trade and the Temple of Solomon
  • Bronze Statue: International symbol of the Lebanese Diaspora