Banque BEMO launches the 4th edition of its national writing contest: Dreaming Lebanon 2026 – “Let the Walls Speak”.

Beirut, October 10, 2025 - Banque BEMO launches the 4th edition of its national writing contest: Dreaming Lebanon 2026 – “Let the Walls Speak”.

In the presence of H.E. Dr. Rima Karami, Minister of Education & Higher Education, Banque BEMO launched the 4th edition of its national writing contest Dreaming Lebanon under the theme “Let the Walls Speak” at the Ministry of Education.

Minister Karami welcomed this educational and national initiative, highlighting “its importance in reviving the creative spirit among Lebanese youth and strengthening the link between education, culture, and citizenship.”

Dr. Riad Obegi, Chairman & General Manager of Banque BEMO and founder of the initiative, delivered a speech entitled “The Place of Dreaming in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.” He said: "Even if artificial intelligence reaches advanced levels of imagination, innovation, and execution, it remains incapable of dreaming. Dreaming is a human essence, & Lebanon was born from a dream. Providence connected the sky to the sea through the mountain and left this combination to give birth to dreams. The Lebanese carried their dreams across the seas, defying the impossible and overcoming despair. Lebanon’s renaissance will happen when dreams unite — the dreams of beauty, kindness, and values. Lebanon is a forum for positive dreams, a space for breaking frustration, and a country that is beautiful, human, and conscious.”

Ms. Sabine Sciortino, Cultural Counselor & Director of Institut Français du Liban said this initiative embodies what culture should be "a space for awareness, freedom, & exchange, where education and imagination meet to build bridges between generations.”

Ms. Christiane Jeitani, representing the Lebanese National Commission for UNESCO, emphasized its reach: "A network of 86 schools across Lebanon will actively participate, translating UNESCO’s values of citizenship, creativity, and sustainable development into action.”

Mr. Antoine Boulad, Co-Founder of Assabil Association, added: "Through public libraries, we join this initiative to spread culture, nurture curiosity, and strengthen the spirit of citizenship among the youth.”

In her closing remarks, Ms. Nevine Hage-Chahine, President of the competition, declared: "Dreaming Lebanon is embodied in this unique educational project in our country’s history. It unites Lebanon’s students — vertically and horizontally — from public and private schools, from the far south to the northernmost villages of Akkar. It speaks to Lebanon’s memory, history, and spirit, revealing the secret of Lebanon the Dream.”

Launched in 2022, Dreaming Lebanon has become a national platform for Lebanese youth, in Lebanon and abroad, to express their vision of tomorrow’s Lebanon through the art of writing — an art Banque BEMO proudly seeks to revive.