Jouzour 2026
The Jouzour program offers an immersive journey through Lebanon, connecting participants with the country’s history, culture, landscapes, traditions, and communities. Rather than simply visiting places, participants engage with Lebanon through meaningful experiences that reveal the many layers of its identity.
Learning Through Exploration and Connection
From June 27 to July 18, 2026, participants experienced Lebanon through a dynamic blend of conferences, workshops, hikes, and outdoor activities that brought learning to life beyond traditional settings. They got the chance to connect with Lebanon’s natural landscapes while strengthening the relationships built throughout the program.
Surrounded by Lebanon’s mountains and breathtaking scenery, participants spent time outdoors sharing stories, building friendships, and embracing the spirit of teamwork and discovery. The experience encouraged reflection and a deeper appreciation for Lebanon’s diverse environment—from its forests and valleys to its unique ecosystems. Alongside the academic sessions and hands-on workshops, the camping experience added another dimension to the Jouzour journey, creating meaningful moments of connection and unforgettable memories.
Jouzour 2026 Program Overview
The journey combines academic exploration, cultural discovery, and hands-on experiences. Participants take part in lectures and discussions at leading Lebanese universities, exploring the country’s ancient civilizations at the American University of Beirut (AUB), its religious heritage and traditions at Saint Joseph University (USJ), its political and social landscape at the Lebanese American University (LAU), and the importance of environmental conservation at the University of Balamand (UOB).
Beyond the classroom, Jouzour brings participants closer to Lebanon’s natural beauty and traditional ways of life. They hike through the iconic cedar forests, learning about the importance of preserving one of Lebanon’s most treasured symbols. They experience sustainable farming firsthand by harvesting origanum at an organic farm and discovering the connection between agriculture, local communities, and the land. In Assia village, participants explore Lebanon’s artisanal heritage by working with clay at a pottery wheel, gaining appreciation for the craftsmanship and traditions passed down through generations.
Jouzour 2026 Competition
The Toni And Lak Bekhazi Contest
Celebrating the 2026 Jouzour Experience Through Creativity and Reflection
The Jouzour experience is a journey of discovery, connection, learning, and personal growth. Throughout the three-week program, participants were encouraged to document their experiences and transform their memories into a final creative presentation that captured the true essence of their journey.
Thanks to the generosity of Tony and Lak Bekhazi of Charlotte, NC, USA, participants had the opportunity to take part in a special contest celebrating storytelling and personal expression. Throughout the program, they collected and preserved their experiences through journal entries, photographs, videos, blog posts, artwork, personal reflections, and other creative formats.
The goal was to create a project that best represented the spirit of the Jouzour program and the impact of these transformative three weeks.
The submissions were evaluated by a distinguished panel of judges:
Dr. Moise Khayrallah, Founder of Lebanon and Beyond
Dr. Elise Salem, Board Member of Lebanon and Beyond
Myrna Panayot, Executive Director of Lebanon and Beyond
The winners were announced during the Jouzour farewell dinner on July 18, 2026.
2026 Tony and Lak Bekhazi Contest Winners
First Place Winner: Ethan Kalell - South Africa
The winner of the 2026 Tony and Lak Bekhazi Contest was Ethan Kalell, here is what he has to say about his project:
Ma2boule is a short visual poem built from footage I collected across my three weeks with Jouzour. It portrays the beauty and the harder, unspoken parts of Lebanon at once. It is built around one question I kept returning to: what is Lebanon without its people, and what are its people without Lebanon. Gibran Khalil once wrote about how differently two people can love the same country. After three weeks inside so many people's versions of it, I kept hoping for the day we all finally get to call it just one — ours.
Second Place: Pedro Jubran Bortolin - Brazil
Pedro created a captivating video that beautifully portrayed his personal perspective on the three weeks of the Jouzour program, highlighting the moments, connections, and emotions that shaped his experience.
Third Place: Alexa Jacobo Inclan - Mexico
Alexa captured her Jouzour experience through a hand-embroidered T-shirt accompanied by an original poem, combining artistry and reflection to express the meaning of her journey.
Each participant’s project reflected a unique perspective, creativity, and appreciation for the Jouzour experience. Together, these stories celebrate the connections made, lessons learned, and memories created during an extraordinary three weeks.
