   Ziad Atallah:Lebanese diplomat fond of Armenian honey December 26, 2011PanARMENIAN.Net - With the challenges and responsibilities that the profession of a diplomat entails, the society often sees them as mere missionaries, with their human sides left in the shadow. In a conversation with a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter, Lebanese Chargé d'Affaires a.i. to Armenia Ziad Atallah agreed to share his impressions and experiences in the country. “Before I arrived to Armenia, I’ve heard a lot of contradictory information from my friends who’ve worked here. Some told me that it is dull and slowly developing. Others, with more updated information, promised I’ll enjoy it, describing Armenian people as lively, and Yerevan as having good night life with a generally safe environment.” “So I must say I tried to formulate my own impression rather and I was positively surprised upon my arrival. Yerevan is a safe city with a rather refreshing unpolluted weather mostly dry, not humid like in Lebanon. People are friendly and speak fair English. And Armenia is only 2 flying hours away from Lebanon, so I found a lot of advantages and privileges in working here.” Was it easy to adapt to Armenian lifestyle? Did you have any odd experiences in Yerevan? “As a diplomat I worked in Washington and Tokyo, so I easily adapt to the new system and absorb cultural differences. Nothing is strange, but I feel and appreciate how ambitious these people are and how they are loyal to their country. “We've been to lake Sevan, Garni and Geghard. At Geghard, the archbishop treated us to a very good honey. Further, at lake Sevan, we were offered an excellent lunch of crabs and fish, which we weren’t able to eat as we had honey before.”
With the New Year upon us, we wonder what the holiday celebration in Lebanon is like. (1)“Lebanon is the only country celebrating Christian and Muslim holidays on the same scale, so the whole population of Lebanon participates in the festivities of this joyful event.” On Christmas night the streets are empty as everybody is home with their families. People go out to celebrate on New Year, with more than half of the population spending that Eve in parties or join the countdown in the famous City Center. The streets at New Year are very crowded, and lots of relatives are coming to Lebanon to see their families.” In conclusion, the Ambassador wished everyone Merry X-mas and a Happy New Year, noting he's impatient for the holidays to learn Armenian traditions of celebrating them. Gohar Karapetyan / PanARMENIAN News  |  Other interviews Latest news European Parliament to discuss repression in Azerbaijan  The European Parliament will discuss repression of civil society in Azerbaijan on April 24PACE wants concessions from Azerbaijan to accept Baku back A PACE co-rapporteur said that Azerbaijani authorities must make certain concessions so that the country can return to PACE.Cyprus parliament honors Armenian genocide victims Acting House President Zacharias Koulias noted that April 24 marks the “black anniversary” of the Armenian genocide.Azerbaijan razes historic Armenian church to ground Azerbaijan has demolished the historic Armenian Church of St. John the Baptist (known as Kanach Zham). |
At focus
Articles: Politics
