From October 10 to 12, 2025, the mountains of Ehden came alive as the Antonine University (UA) Faculty of Sport Sciences (FSS), in partnership with the Municipality of Zgharta–Ehden and in collaboration with Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 (France), organized the first edition of the Lebanese National Mountain Day, a national celebration blending sports, culture, and sustainability.
Held under the patronage of the Ministry of Tourism, the event gathered government representatives, university leaders, environmental experts, and participants from across Lebanon to celebrate the country’s natural heritage and highlight the transformative role of sport in sustainable development.
A Shared Vision for the Mountain
In his opening address, Rev. Fr. Michel Saghbiny, Rector of UA, emphasized that this initiative reflects the University’s mission of serving its community through concrete, sustainable action. “A university is not merely a place of learning; it is a beating heart in the journey of national and cultural revival,” he said, recalling the Antonine Maronite Order’s educational legacy in Zgharta–Ehden since the 18th century.
Fr. Saghbiny also noted that UA’s partnership with the Municipality of Zgharta–Ehden seeks to transform the region into a “Smart, Active, and Green” model for regional development, fully aligned with the United Nations (UN) 2025 World Tourism Day theme: “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation.”
Dr. Antonio Soutou, Dean of the FSS, described the Lebanese National Mountain Day as the realization of a vision inspired by UA’s 2025–26 motto, “Dream, Believe, Become.” He presented the initiative as a project that positions sport as a driver for human empowerment and balanced regional development.
Dr. Soutou also unveiled several pioneering initiatives, including the creation of the “Campus des Métiers de la Montagne,” the launch of Lebanon’s first inclusive sports trail for people with disabilities (developed in partnership with Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve), and the Virtual Hiking project, designed to improve physical and mental well-being among the elderly.
A Message From France
The event featured a recorded message from Prof. Guillaume Bodet, Professor of Sport Marketing and Management and Director of the UFR STAPS at Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1. He highlighted the strong collaboration between the two institutions through co-accredited diplomas, research projects, and joint academic initiatives.
Prof. Bodet emphasized the partners’ shared connection to the mountain and their mutual commitment to innovation and sustainability in outdoor sports management. He praised the spirit of partnership and the vision behind this event, describing it as “a model of co-construction in education and research” that fosters economic, social, and ecological development.
Partners in Sustainability
The event’s impact extended beyond academia. Mr. Pierrot Douaihy, Mayor of Zgharta–Ehden, praised UA’s professionalism and long-term engagement, affirming that the University’s presence has truly “activated the mountain.” He expressed the Municipality’s intention to make autumn an extension of Ehden’s tourism season, using sports, cultural, and environmental activities to support local development.
H.E. Laura Lahoud, Minister of Tourism, underlined that the mountain is the foundation of Lebanon’s environmental and economic life — the source of its water, forests, agriculture, and eco-tourism. She saluted UA’s pioneering initiative as a model of collaboration between the public and private sectors and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening sustainable, year-round mountain tourism.
Additional remarks were delivered by MP Tony Franjieh, who commended UA’s national service through this initiative, and Mr. Raymond (Rony) Araygi, former Minister of Culture, who highlighted the event’s environmental and cultural importance.
Serving as Master of Ceremony, Ms. Hanane Merhej guided attendees through a dynamic program of panels, performances, and outdoor challenges that connected academia, sport, and community engagement.
A Weekend of Movement and Meaning
The Lebanese National Mountain Day unfolded across a weekend of vibrant exchanges, research-driven discussions, and immersive outdoor experiences, turning Ehden into a living laboratory for sustainability, sport, and culture.
At Al Koubra Palace, the academic segment gathered experts and practitioners from leading Lebanese and international institutions for three thought-provoking panels on the intersection of environment, tourism, and sport.
- Panel 1 – Protection of Water Resources and Snow Covers in Lebanon, moderated by Prof. Antoine El Samrani (Vice Rector for Research, UA), featured Dr. Ihab Joumaa (LARI), Prof. Laurent Drapeau (CEREGE/IRD, AMU), Dr. Mounir Abi Saïd (Lebanese University), and Dr. Amin Shaban (CNRS-Liban).
Speakers discussed the challenges of water scarcity, snow depletion, and biodiversity loss, calling for stronger scientific collaboration and innovative policies to safeguard Lebanon’s mountain ecosystems.
- Panel 2 – Sustainable Tourism in Mountain Villages: Balancing Growth and Preservation, moderated by Mr. Pascal Abdallah (Consultant in Sustainable Tourism), brought together Mr. Bechara Alam (Brand Optimizer ME), Mr. Pierrot Douaihy (Mayor of Zgharta–Ehden), Dr. Jad Abi Arraj, and H.E. Mr. Ghassan Moukheiber.
The discussion focused on community-led tourism, the role of municipalities in preserving local identity, and the need for legal frameworks to promote responsible growth in mountain destinations.
- Panel 3 – Innovating Outdoor Sports: Development and Organization Strategies,
moderated by Ms. Sandra Koussa (Director of Horsh Ehden Reserve), united Dr. Antonio Soutou (FSS Dean, UA), Mr. Raja Saadeh (Thermic Club), and Mr. Edgard Azzi (Director of the Office of Athletics, UA).
Panelists explored innovation in outdoor sports management, safety in paragliding, and the economic potential of climbing and adventure sports as tools for sustainable development.
A Call for Adventure
Beyond the panel discussions, participants were invited to experience the mountain through outdoor and cultural activities that captured the spirit of connection and exploration.
Highlights included climbing and archery sessions with the Lebanese Federation of Climbing and Mountaineering, the Lebanese Archery Federation, and Overhang Club;
cultural and religious hiking and biking tours across Ehden; and a paragliding parade and enduro biking challenge showcasing Lebanon’s natural beauty and athletic talent.
Evenings blended reflection with celebration, from the Oriental Night concert by UA’s Faculty of Music and Musicology, to a night hike and stargazing session at Horsh Ehden, where participants reconnected with nature beneath the autumn sky.
A Model for the Future
By combining science, sport, and sustainability, the Lebanese National Mountain Day marked a turning point in Lebanon’s approach to regional development. The event reaffirmed UA’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly: SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 13: Climate Action, SDG 15: Life on Land, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
From academic excellence to community engagement, the event demonstrated that when universities, municipalities, and citizens unite, the mountain becomes more than a destination — it becomes a movement.