REEF Youth Encounters 2025

Date

25 - 27 July

Location

Graneroverde, Helsban Valley, Kobayat

Registrations for workshops, plastic competiion & nature activities:

+961 81 073 756

REEF Association is launching a special edition of its annual Encounters, dedicated this year to youth engagement and environmental advocacy. From 25 to 27 July in the scenic Helseban Valley in Kobayat, the event will celebrate the culmination of a nine-month mentorship journey undertaken by 20 young participants (aged 13–18) as part of the “REEF Ambassadors” program. From 25 to 27 July, their journey will culminate in REEF Youth Encounters, a three-day public gathering in the heart of Helsban Valley in Kobayat. This special edition will bring together the ambassadors, their families and friends, as well as community members of all ages from across Akkar and beyond. Through a rich program of shared learning, inter-generational dialogue, outdoor activities, film screenings, hands-on workshops, and youth-driven environmental storytelling, the event will highlight the growth and accomplishments of this new generation of advocates.

Opening Ceremony

The Encounters begin with a presentation of the REEF Ambassadors’ journey highlighting moments from their training, workshops, and creative projects. This ceremony sets the tone for a weekend of shared learning, intergenerational dialogue, outdoor activities, hands-on workshops and youth-driven environmental storytelling. 📍Friday, 25 July, 7:30 P.M.

The Book of Nature – Live Storytelling

Guided by environmentalist Antoine Daher, the REEF Ambassadors were trained in short story writing, working on a book that features a collection of stories and illustrations centered around the forest, flowers, wild animals, ecological balance, and humanity’s relationship with all of this. A storyteller will bring to life what has been completed of “The Book of Nature” through a live session for audiences of all ages. 📍Friday, 25 July, 8:00 P.M.

A Lebanon Premiere Screening: Living with Wolves

Friday evening continues with the Lebanon premiere of Living with Wolves by French filmmaker Jean-Michel Bertrand. The filmmaker offers a completely new and unexpected perspective on the wolf. As wolves begin to reappear across France, he proposes that we must learn to “live with wolves.” Avoiding polemics, Bertrand uses cinematic sensitivity to shift how we perceive the natural world and the creatures that share it with us—deer, ibex, chamois… This film is a poetic journey through forests and mountains, with surprising human and animal encounters. Through his unique style, Bertrand reflects on the philosophical and ecological relationships between humans and nature. 📍 Friday, 25 July, 8:30 P.M.

Stargazing Tour in Shambouk

End the first day with a nighttime excursion under Akkar’s famously clear skies. Participants will take part in a guided Stargazing in Al Shambouk, a high peak located in Akkar, offering a chance to observe the stars and constellations in a pollution-free mountain setting. Participants will be transported by bus from GraneroVerde. 📍 Friday, 25 July, 10 P.M. Prior registration is required in advance via WhatsApp: +961 81 073 756

Basalt Day – Geology, Art & Architecture Tour

This guided tour explores Akkar’s rich black basalt heritage, including: • El-Bireh Saray • The Roman Temple of Nemesis (Menjez) • The Daoud brothers’ stone sculpture atelier • Mar Daniel Church and basalt-built homes A deep dive into geology, architecture, and traditional craftsmanship. 📍 Saturday, 26 July, 8:30 AM to 2:00 P.M. Prior registration is required in advance via WhatsApp: +961 81 073 756

Youth Short Films & Audience Discussion

The REEF Ambassadors will premiere three original short films, created during the mentorship with the support of professional artists. > Not just a tree, a Comedy News Program by Salma Jarouj, Rim Haddad, Rasha Haddad, Samir Kanjo and Kanjo Kanjo, Mentored by Nohra Jarmash. Through street interviews, nature reports, and animated ancestral legends, the film dives into the historical, cultural, and ecological significance of the lazzab (Juniper) tree, a majestic symbol of resilience in Lebanon’s highlands. > Dabe3 Cast , a Podcast by Raphael Ward, Charbel Elias, and Abdallah Ali, mentored by Joseph Ibrahim. This podcast dives into the fascinating world of the striped hyena in Lebanon, a creature often surrounded by fear, myths, and misunderstanding. Through personal stories, expert insights, and village tales, we explore what makes this animal so unique, its role in the ecosystem, and how people interact with it in real life. The episode is a journey that blends science, emotion, and local culture all through the lens of Lebanese voices. > The Hidden Truth , a Fiction Animation by Sami Chahine, Lynn Zeitouny, Michelle Abdo, Pamela Youssef, mentored by Fadi Syriani – The Youth Animation Platform. In this fiction with animated scenes a group of enthusiastic young explorers go on an adventure to discover a hidden secret book that tells the real “Red Riding Hood Story”, and redeems a long feared animal, the “Big Bad Wolf”.All three works were filmed and edited by Edgard Hbeich. 📍 Saturday, 26 July, 8:00 P.M.

African Rhythms – Music & Dance Night

This open-air music and dance inspired by African rhythms will host Iqaa’ L Dunia with Youmna Marwa, Marylise Aad, Jad Awada, and Malek Fleifel. it will offer a vibrant mix of drumming, vocals, and movement. Photo credit : Rima Maroun. With gratitude to Hadi Awada for handling the band’s transport and gear. 📍Saturday, 26 July, 10:00 P.M.

Karst Landscapes Hike – Qammouaa

This moderate 9km hike leads through Qammouaa’s striking karst terrain, featuring limestone formations, fir and cedar forests, and historical sites such as Wadi el-Ballat and Nabi Khaled. Suitable for hikers with a basic fitness level. 📍Sunday, 27 July, 8:30 A.M. to 3:P.M. Prior registration is required in advance via WhatsApp: +961 81 073 756

Local Food & Craft Market

Browse and enjoy the flavors of Akkar! The local market will feature mouneh (preserved foods), handmade crafts, and regional specialties. Purchases directly support local producers and women-led initiatives. 📍 Friday & Saturday, From 7:00 to 11:00 PM

Plastic Bottle Challenge

Running until 25 July, this initiative led in collaboration with CIRCL encourages plastic reduction through collective action. Participants are invited to collect a minimum of 6,000 compressed and empty plastic bottles. The winners will be announced during the Encounters. Prior registration is required to participate on WhatsApp: +961 81 073 756

African Drumming Workshop : Rythm Connect Us

“Rhythm Connects Us: it stays with us in every step we take and accompanies us from our earliest moments. Every clap has its own rhythm.” As part of REEF Youth Encounters program, join Iqaa al Dounia for an intergenerational drumming workshop designed for ages 9 to 99! This session introduces the fundamentals of rhythm and group music-making, inspired by West African traditions. Participants will explore tempo, improvisation, and the collective power of polyrhythms. 📍 Friday, July 25th, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM. All skill levels are welcome. Limited spots available! Please register in advance via WhatsApp: +961 81 073 756 Photo credit: Rima Maroun. Special thanks to Hadi Awada for handling the band’s transport and gear.

Pottery Workshop – Hearth

Inspired by the Japanese Dorodango Art, an Earthen Pot is a planting pot made completely out of soil, and is able to provide a good environment for plants to grow while maintaining a nice earthy aesthetic. The pot is sustainably handmade by carefully harvesting local soils without creating any waste to last long enough for the plant to outgrow it, and then planting it back in the Earth without causing any pollution in the process. The aim of the workshop is to understand the capabilities of soil in sustainably creating planting pots, and future implementations in art and building. Participants will learn how to source, prepare, and mold clay into functional plant pots. 📍 Saturday, 26 July, 10-12 A.M. Advance registration is required due to limited spaces on WhatsApp: +961 81 073 756.