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Web Release
32 minutes ago
- Business
- Web Release
A Cultural and Musical Evening to Save Heritage Sites in Tripoli
On August 18, 2025, the Patrimoine Tripoli – Liban association hosted an exceptional event on Abdul Wahab Island, off the coast of El Mina – Tripoli, under the patronage and in the presence of His Excellency Mr. Fayez Rasamny, Minister of Public Works and Transport of Lebanon, and collaboration with El Mina Municipality. This evening, which blended culture, music, gastronomy, and awareness, aimed to place this iconic island back at the heart of collective memory and draw attention to its deteriorated condition due to neglect and the urgent need for its rehabilitation. Additionally, this evening aimed to raise funds to restore Dar Fatima, a historic house located adjacent to the goldsmiths' market in the heart of Tripoli's old souks. In his speech, Mr. Fayez Rasamny highlighted the importance of Tripoli and the North for Lebanon, adding that 'the government's goal is to achieve balanced development across all Lebanese regions, especially in the North, which possesses significant potential and capabilities for growth. With this development, job opportunities increase and people's living conditions improve — and this is precisely the government's goal: to focus on real action rather than just words. In her opening speech, Mrs. Joumana Chahal Timery, President of Patrimoine Tripoli Liban association, declared: 'Our goal at the Patrimoine Tripoli – Liban association is to implement sustainable development projects that put Tripoli on the national map. This is to highlight its historical and cultural value, as well as its tourism and economic potential.' Located just two hundred meters from the shoreline, Abdul Wahab Island covers an area of approximately 500 to 600 square meters and bears a unique place in Tripoli's history and maritime landscape. Locally known as 'Cow Island' due to the dugongs that once inhabited its waters, it served for centuries as a site for shipbuilding and repairs, entrusted to the Abdel Wahab family, from whom it draws its current name. This traditional activity helped shape the city's maritime identity, closely tied to its fishermen, craftsmen, and shipyards. The island still retains remarkable historical remains, including the ruins of Saint Thomas Monastery, dating back to the Crusader period. This architectural heritage, combined with a rich and fragile biodiversity, gives the site historical, cultural, and environmental significance. Rocks, rare wild plants, endangered sea turtles, and migratory birds make it a precious ecosystem — a true microcosm of Lebanon's coastline. Located near El Mina's long Corniche, it could become a beacon destination for walking, ecological discovery, and cultural activities, integrated into the daily life of residents. However, since the last intervention in 2015 — which included the construction of the pedestrian bridge, the creation of pathways, and the planting of green spaces — no significant maintenance or restoration has been carried out. Today, signs of decline are evident: missing portions of the bridge make access hazardous, accumulation of waste, and unregulated stalls distort the natural landscape and diminish the site's value. In light of this situation, Patrimoine Tripoli – Liban aimed to make the August 18 event a moment of collective mobilization, bringing together the local community, authorities, and visitors with a shared goal: to safeguard and enhance Abdul Wahab Island, and to secure funds to renovate Dar Fatima, transforming it into a vibrant venue for future cultural events. The evening transformed the island into a welcoming space, faithful to its heritage identity. Guests enjoyed a charity dinner inspired by the warm hospitality and authentic flavors of Tripoli's traditional homes. An open-air concert with a sound and lighting setup designed to highlight the island's silhouette and natural setting is part of the program for the evening. Beyond its festive dimension, this initiative carries a deeply civic and cultural mission. It seeks to revive the connection between the community and its maritime heritage, affirm the importance of preserving such sites within a sustainable development framework, and encourage their integration into the cultural and tourist life of the city. With proper restoration and responsible management, Abdul Wahab Island could become an open and accessible space — a symbol of preservation, eco-tourism, and heritage transmission. Since its creation in Paris in 2009, Patrimoine Tripoli – Liban has been dedicated to protecting and promoting the city's tangible and intangible heritage. The association leads restoration projects, organizes training workshops in traditional crafts, and raises public awareness about the value of heritage. Adopting a participatory approach directly involves residents, fosters a sense of ownership, and places heritage at the heart of Tripoli's social and economic development. It has earned both local and international recognition for its initiatives, collaborating with prestigious institutions such as the Arab World Institute in Paris, the French Senate, the Regional Council of Île-de-France, and various Lebanese ministries of Culture, Tourism, and Education. The August 18 event fully embodied this vision, combining culture, engagement, and sharing, and reminded us that heritage is a common good that can only endure through the interest and involvement of all.
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Christchurch Boys' looking forward to SBHS clash
Despite sealing the Miles Toyota Premiership title with their biggest win over Christ's College in a decade, Christchurch Boys' High School will need to quickly refocus for the South Island first XV final. Boys' High thrashed their old rivals 52-0 at home last Saturday in torrential rain and thick mud to lift the trophy. They will now face Southern Schools champions Southland Boys' High School in Invercargill, with the winner earning a place at the national Top 4 championship against the best schools from the Blues, Chiefs, and Hurricanes regions. Head coach Pete Chaplin said the team's 'brick in the wall' philosophy would help them reset for Saturday's match, which kicks off at noon. 'We build up for something, we play it, and we put it in the wall. You can't touch it or do any more with it, we're on to the next challenge,' he said. 'The boys are pretty well versed in having a win and putting it away.' Boys' High have not played at the Top 4 since 2018, and captain Blake Robinson said it was exciting to have the chance to return. 'We're trying not to get too far ahead of ourselves,' he said. 'But it's pretty hard to look past it.' Boys' High beat Southland 45-28 in pre-season in April but lost 29-28 when the teams last met in a competitive fixture in the South Island final in 2023. 'They're a really balanced team,' said Chaplin, 'They've got a good pack, a good operating lineout, they like to play the ball and their backs are pretty lethal. 'You don't get to this stage of the competition without having some firepower, and they've got a long tradition of success at this end of the competition.' Chaplin said his team could match them if they reproduced their performance against Christ's. 'It was really good for the team to actually put two halves together – incredibly pleasing for us as coaches. 'Obviously, the focus is on bringing a similar performance to Saturday.' The 52-0 victory is believed to be among the largest in the rivalry's history, behind only the 74-0 win in 2004 and the record 80-0 triumph in 2015, when future All Black Will Jordan scored four tries and former Crusader Josh McKay scored 35 points. Chaplin said his team embraced the poor conditions on Saturday. 'Days like that you can either grizzle about it or embrace it. We warmed up in one of the wettest parts of the ground, so the boys were in the water and pumped up for it.' Robinson described it as the worst conditions he had ever played in and he enjoyed being able to get back to the sheds at half-time. 'Lying on the ground was the worst part. After being tackled it was just freezing,' he said. 'But we'd had quite a good talk about our warm-up, wearing heaps of layers, having something on under our tops.' He was looking forward to the clash with Southland. 'If we just control the controllables, I think we'll be in with a very good shot. 'With the travel, we'll have to prepare ourselves as best we can, stretch, drink lots of water.'
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Christchurch Boys' High not resting on their laurels ahead of first XV final
Despite sealing the Miles Toyota Premiership title with their biggest win over Christ's College in a decade, Christchurch Boys' High School will need to quickly refocus for the South Island first XV final. Boys' High thrashed their old rivals 52-0 at home last Saturday in torrential rain and thick mud to lift the trophy. They will now face Southern Schools champions Southland Boys' High in Invercargill, with the winner earning a place at the national Top 4 championship against the best schools from the Blues, Chiefs, and Hurricanes regions. Head coach Pete Chaplin said the team's 'brick in the wall' philosophy would help them reset for Saturday's match, which kicks off at noon. 'We build up for something, we play it, and we put it in the wall. You can't touch it or do any more with it, we're on to the next challenge,' he said. 'The boys are pretty well versed in having a win and putting it away.' Boys' High have not played at the Top 4 since 2018, and captain Blake Robinson said it was exciting to have the chance to return. 'We're trying not to get too far ahead of ourselves,' he said. 'But it's pretty hard to look past it.' Boys' High beat Southland 45-28 in pre-season in April but lost 29-28 when the teams last met in a competitive fixture in the South Island final in 2023. 'They're a really balanced team,' said Chaplin, 'They've got a good pack, a good operating lineout, they like to play the ball and their backs are pretty lethal. 'You don't get to this stage of the competition without having some firepower, and they've got a long tradition of success at this end of the competition.' Chaplin said his team could match them if they reproduced their performance against Christ's. 'It was really good for the team to actually put two halves together – incredibly pleasing for us as coaches. 'Obviously, the focus is on bringing a similar performance to Saturday.' The 52-0 victory is believed to be among the largest in the rivalry's history, behind only the 74-0 win in 2004 and the record 80-0 triumph in 2015, when future All Black Will Jordan scored four tries and former Crusader Josh McKay scored 35 points. Chaplin said his team embraced the poor conditions on Saturday. 'Days like that you can either grizzle about it or embrace it. We warmed up in one of the wettest parts of the ground, so the boys were in the water and pumped up for it.' Robinson described it as the worst conditions he had ever played in and he enjoyed being able to get back to the sheds at half-time. 'Lying on the ground was the worst part. After being tackled it was just freezing,' he said. 'But we'd had quite a good talk about our warm-up, wearing heaps of layers, having something on under our tops.' He was looking forward to the clash with Southland. 'If we just control the controllables, I think we'll be in with a very good shot. 'With the travel, we'll have to prepare ourselves as best we can, stretch, drink lots of water.'
Otago Daily Times
07-08-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Richie Mo'unga back in red and black next season
Richie Mo'unga will return to New Zealand to play for Canterbury next season. Mo'unga has signed with NZR, the Crusaders and Canterbury Rugby for 18 months from July 2026 to December 2027. The agreement sees him return to Canterbury Rugby for the 2026 and 2027 NPC seasons and the Crusaders for the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season. After moving offshore in 2024 to play for Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo in Japan, Mo'unga will once again don the red and black jersey, adding to his legacy in the red and black that first began in 2016 when he became Crusader #190. 'The Crusaders have always been a huge part of my life – not just as a player, but as a person,' says Mo'unga. Richie Mounga playing for the Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo. "I can't wait to return in 2027 and continue to build on the legacy of the franchise. I'm really looking forward to reconnecting with the fans and contributing to the environment both on and off the field.' He still has one more season in Japan and will keep his focus on that before coming back to New Zealand. 'I've grown a lot during my time in Japan with Toshiba, both on and off the field. It's been an incredible experience with my family that I'll always be grateful for, and I'm really excited for one more season with them,' he says. Mo'unga's return marks a significant moment for the Crusaders who will welcome back one of the most influential players in Super Rugby history. He has 109 appearances and scored 1230 points in the red and black. Richie Mo'unga playing for the Crusaders in the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific semi-final. Crusaders head coach Rob Penney says Mo'unga's homecoming is a massive boost for the team. 'Richie's connection to this club runs deep and he is a great Crusader man. "We're really blessed with the talent that we have in the Crusaders and having Richie back will not only enhance the team and have a positive influence over the group, but it will also ensure his legacy lives on long after he has departed.' Crusaders chief executive Colin Mansbridge says Mo'unga embodies what it means to be a Crusader. 'The word care is thrown around a lot in this place, but the care Richie has for this club and this team is second to none. "He has this gift of bringing out the best in those around him and we can't wait to have him back here in 2027.'
NZ Herald
29-07-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Richie Mo'unga's All Blacks return could be delayed by eligibility rules
Negotiations to bring Richie Mo'unga home next year are believed to have hit an impasse as there is not yet clarity or certainty on when precisely the 31-year-old former Crusader would become eligible to resume his test career once he's back in New Zealand. Whether Mo'unga, the man famously described
