Gibran and Bsharre
One cannot speak of Gibran without speaking of Bsharre and vice versa, not only because of their inseparable relationship, but also because the village itself resembles the poet, the artist, the writer and the prophet: modest, pure, deeply rooted in harmony with its surrounding nature, flourishing among the Cedars of God, halfway between earth and heaven. This spirituality, common to both and brought to life by the monumental work of Gibran and in which his artist’s brush is soaked, leaves its mark on the visitor of the Gibran Museum.
The modest and simple appearance of the Museum’s interior is nothing but a facade vis-à-vis the richness of its contents. Gibran is present in every step, in every corner of this sanctuary that houses his work and his thought: "I am alive like you. I am standing near you. Close your eyes, you will see me in front of you”.
The nature that envelops this magical place, suspended between the real and the unreal, between the consciousness and the dream, is enchanting and worthy of the brush of Van Gogh. Gibran's sculpture, the work of Rudy Rahme, testifies to the greatness of this man who crosses the continents and abolishes borders with his writings, his thoughts and his tireless call to love, openness, and beauty; in short to the noblest human virtues. This peaceful corner, perched away from the weight of everyday life, and offering a magnificent view of a village faithful to its origins and traditional way of life, is a call to return to the roots. A call that inspires many international writers like Paolo Coelho and seduces the Lebanese of the diaspora who work for its international expansion, like the actress Salma Hayek who transformed the Prophet into a cinematic masterpiece revealing the noble message of its writer.
This man, who utilized an enormous amount of ink, without quenching the thirst of researchers and lovers of his work, deserves our attention and our eagerness to spread his peaceful message. We who are still here, rooted in our belief in the resurrection of Lebanon at the end of this ordeal must remember his legendary words: “If Lebanon was not my country, I would choose it as my country”.