Lebanon’s Ambassador in Canada: Culture Can Keep New Generations Connected to Their Identity

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published September 25, 2026

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Lebanon’s Ambassador to Canada, Bachir Tawk, stressed the importance of arts and cultural festivals in keeping younger generations of Lebanese Canadians connected to their heritage, calling for Lebanese cultural activities to expand across Canada and reach audiences beyond the Lebanese community.

Tawk made the remarks while welcoming Georges Khabbaz and guests of Lebanon Cinema Days in Canada to the Lebanese Embassy in Ottawa, during a reception marked by a warm welcome and recognition of the festival’s cultural role.

Speaking to Tawasul News, the ambassador said younger generations of Lebanese immigrants need opportunities that bring them closer to their culture and strengthen their sense of identity, particularly as they grow up within Canada’s much broader multicultural environment.

He pointed to the growing participation of children and young people in Lebanese community events, including festivals organized by churches and cultural organizations, as evidence of a renewed interest among younger generations in reconnecting with their roots.

Tawk described the embassy’s reception of an artist as versatile as Georges Khabbaz as an opportunity to present what he called a bright and authentic image of Lebanese society through high-quality art that spans theatre, cinema, music and writing.

He also said Lebanese Canadians are fortunate to live in a country that recognizes and supports cultural diversity, allowing communities to maintain their traditions while sharing them with wider Canadian society.

Lebanese festivals, he noted, can introduce audiences to the country through its music, traditional food, folklore, clothing and arts, while giving younger Lebanese Canadians tangible ways to experience a culture they may otherwise know largely through their families.

The ambassador expressed hope that future Lebanese cultural events would expand to more parts of Canada and attract not only Lebanese audiences but a broader cross-section of Canadian society. He also voiced support for continued cooperation between the embassy and Lebanese cultural institutions.

The visit comes during the 10th edition of Lebanon Cinema Days in Canada, running from September 17 to 28 across Montreal, Ottawa and the Greater Toronto Area. This year’s programme features 57 films, including 13 feature films and 44 shorts, with Khabbaz receiving the festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award.