More than twenty thousand citizens from all Lebanese regions and tourists from across Lebanon flocked to the Rashaya al-Wadi area to participate in the sixth edition of "Rashaya Grape Molasses Day," which was held in the historic Rashaya market, along the streets leading to the market, and at the Al-Qadmani press, under the patronage of the caretaker Minister of Tourism, Dr. Walid Nassar, and at the invitation of the "Rashaya and Beyond" association, the Farah Social Foundation, in cooperation with the Municipality of Rashaya and the local community, in a festival that brought Lebanon together in Rashaya.
Grape Molasses Day, which has turned into a unifying national day, included nature walks, grape picking, visiting the presses and the historic market, tasting and purchasing local products, exploring handicrafts, visiting the Citadel of Independence, grape trellises on the slopes of Mount Hermon, displays of village food, competitions, prizes, and music and singing.
During the opening of the Grape Molasses Festival in the Rashaya market, the head of the Beiteddine Festival Committee, Mrs. Nora Jumblatt, said: "A great day and a grand celebration to learn about the region, its beauty, and its heritage with its historic citadel and markets. Visitors have come from all regions of Lebanon, for Rashaya is one of the most beautiful towns in Lebanon. This is a day that Rashaya deserves and that all of Lebanon deserves."
Member of the "Democratic Gathering" bloc, MP Wael Abou Faour, said: "I welcome all visitors today and thank the Minister of Tourism for his support. Although he could not attend due to special circumstances, he provided all possible support for the last tourist season in the Rashaya region. I also thank Mrs. Nora Jumblatt for her presence, as she represents the spirit of President Walid Jumblatt, whom this region loves and lives by. Mrs. Nora is also the civilized and cultural face of the Lebanese and Arab woman."
He added: "This celebration has become an annual tradition, and I thank all the participating associations from Rashaya and Beyond, the Farah Social Foundation, the Municipality of Rashaya, my colleagues in the Progressive Youth Organization of the Socialist Party, and the Women's Union. This celebration has become an annual destination to highlight the civilization and culture of Rashaya, Rashaya of Mount Hermon and its spiritual reservoir, the Citadel of Independence, and the beautiful market."
He continued: "Our entire ambition is for Rashaya to become a permanent tourist destination."
In turn, the head of the "Rashaya and Beyond" association, environmental activist Nizar Mehanna, welcomed the crowds coming from all over Lebanon to the Rashaya market, confirming that "since its establishment, the association has held this unifying day to affirm Rashaya's identity and preserve this heritage specific to the region. We are concerned with eco-tourism, heritage tourism, and rural tourism. It is a day not only for marketing products but also for strengthening bonds of affection, love, and joy. Our association, in partnership with the Farah Social Foundation, organizes this activity for the sixth year to be a space for joy and meeting, and to highlight the most important product in Rashaya, which is high-quality grape molasses, in addition to honey and various types of local provisions. This day includes a nature walk in the town, a visit to the presses, learning about the landmarks of Rashaya and its environment, and tasting its products." He expressed the association's joy at the success of this exceptional day in the history of Rashaya, which brought all of Lebanon together.
The Mayor of Rashaya, Rashrash Naji, affirmed that "what Rashaya is witnessing today is a medal it deserves and a tribute from all of Lebanon to the town of independence, love, and dignified living. It is not only a day to sell the produce of farmers and manufacturers, but a day of meeting, acquaintance, and national solidarity in its most beautiful forms," stressing that "Rashaya opens its heart today to all of Lebanon and all guests from across the nation, because we are people of life who believe in love and values." He thanked the organizing and participating associations and everyone who cooperated to make this special day a success.
Thousands of participants headed to the grape molasses presses and visited the vineyards in Rashaya.
The head of the Association of Industrialists in the Bekaa, during his participation in Rashaya's Grape Molasses Day, blessed "this excellence," and considered that "in Rashaya there is the Citadel of Independence and the citadel of industrial resistance through what Rashaya offers, which gives hope that Lebanon remains and continues."
Member of the Board of Directors of the Syndicate of Food Industries in Lebanon, Hussein Al-Qadmani, said: "Grape Molasses Day is to promote the culture of production and foster the idea of individual initiatives, because there is no way to build a state unless the citizen is a producer, and a free citizen who possesses a vision that achieves human dignity," considering that "the grape molasses day is a unifying national and economic day, a day of love, solidarity, and affection." He welcomed all the guests who visited Rashaya, expressing his thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of this exceptional day.
As for the owner of the Grapeful company for grape molasses manufacturing, Bahaa Al-Qadmani, he said: "Today there are nearly 200 products in the market, and today more than 250 grape farmers are benefiting from selling their produce due to their inability to market abroad," pointing out that "the food processing sector provides job opportunities and stabilizes farmers in their villages. This day is special in Rashaya and has brought all of Lebanon together." He highlighted the love of all of Lebanon for this region, which is considered one of the most beautiful Lebanese towns and one of the most wonderful tourist and environmental areas.
The event included an exhibition of local provisions distinguished by their many varieties, where honey from the Rashaya region and its villages had a distinctive mark in the exhibition, in addition to varieties of labneh, jams, sweets, and local food produced by Rashaya homes and workshops, and exhibitions of handicrafts, decorations, accessories, embroidery, and handmade household tools.
The sixth edition of the Grape Molasses Festival was distinguished by good reception, organization, the provision of parking, and ensuring the safety of those arriving from various Lebanese regions, in addition to the presence of guides from members of the "Rashaya and Beyond" association, the Progressive Youth Organization, the municipality, and its members.
