A moment of pure magic with Catherine Deneuve in Lebanon

 

Prestigious gala dinner at the «InterContinental Phoenicia» hotel in Beirut in benefit of Skoun Association

 

Article by CARLA HENOUD, published in l’Orient-le Jour on 14 May 2007  

Just like in the plateau of an ideal Hollywood cinema where decoration, actors, extras, subject, image and sound perfectly concur without default, the gala dinner in benefit of Skoun Association for the prevention and treatment of addiction in Lebanon embraced the capital, on Saturday evening, with a much-acclaimed glamour. The appearance by Catherine Deneuve in the main role, like a shooting star in the clouded Beirut sky, has bestowed the evening event with its dream part. Mixed to a perfect program, the fashion show of the spring summer collection « Awaiting spring... » by designer Rabih Kayrouz, a performance by Nancy Ajram and for a good cause, this gala event was widely considered the event of the year…

It is one of the magical nights that brings forth the rebirth of Lebanon from its ashes.. Reviving the splendorous past, undermined by several ill-intentioned parties. Driving to think and believe that anything is possible, above all the achievement of happiness.. Within the immemorial framework of InterContinental Phoenicia hotel, around its royal swimming pool, more than 400 elegantly dressed persons gathered in witness of the splendor of the pre-war years. And… the beautiful Catherine Deneuve, in Lebanon for a few days, to participate in the filming of the feature film starring Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige I want to see. The production wisely benefited from the gala in order to film a scene from the short film in which « a very beautiful woman, an international icon, a great actress came to Lebanon ». 

At half past eight, « action! ». The actress, having made its entrance with a fabulous evening dress, under the watchful eye of an impressed public, a very mobile camera and photographers swarming around her, was welcomed by Sara Trad, director of Skoun Association. Reality and fiction mingle for a moment. Four times did Catherine Deneuve make a majestic appearance and then, went to sit for a moment at the table of French Ambassador Bernard Émié, before fading out in the night. The evening gala continued, with Ricardo Karam as master of ceremony, who was eager to pay a supported tribute to the late Alia el-Solh and  Skoun Association, operating since 2003, with a team of psychiatrists and psychologists, in the prevention and treatment of drug, alcohol and tobacco dependency.

At the moment of departure, just before midnight, an evening Cinderella stated: "This is Lebanon !" Full of generosity and hospitality, a dreamland, with know-how and the will to live decently, and above all, the nostalgia of legitimate happiness.