Students share Lebanese history, dancing at coffee hour

Internal violence in Lebanon disrupted a flourishing tourism industry a few years ago, but the country has recovered and its rich cultural heritage and lively atmosphere is attracting millions of tourists again.

Mohamad Traboulsi, graduate student in agricultural economics, talked about his home country to a crowd of about 100 people on Friday as part of the Coffee Hour Series of 2010.

Lebanon, located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean and bordered by Syria and Israel, has a history dating back more than 7,000 years to Byblos, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Traboulsi said.

Lebanon was later the home of the Phoenicians, a maritime group that inhabited the area for about two centuries.

"Ancient inhabitants left behind well-preserved ruins where we still celebrate some of our traditional festivals," Traboulsi said.

Lebanon was colonized by France in 1918 and achieved its independence four decades later.

The country is known for a unique species of pine trees native to the mountains of the Mediterranean region. The cedars of Lebanon have an intricate role in the country's history. Romans, Greeks, Persians, Assyrians and Babylonians requested the wood from the cedars of Lebanon for religious and civil constructs, Traboulsi said.

The high demand for cedars in the area led to severe deforestation of its forest, rendering it in danger of extinction. Today, only seven hectares of the original forest remains.

The presentation ended and volunteers from the audience stepped up to learn some steps from a traditional Lebanese dance – belly dancing.

"Step, kick and bounce," said Christina Khalil, graduate student in foodservice and hospitality management, as she led the dancers around the room.

Khalil said many people do not know where Lebanon is or know anything about the country, which is why she was happy to teach people about it.

"Being able to present my country was pretty cool," Khalil said. "It makes you feel proud of your background."