Book Inauguration Ceremony

On Wednesday, the 5th of October 2011, at 10:00 AM, the book inauguration of the newly printed poetry collection of Michel Kheir, the Arabic literature and philosophy teacher of the school’s secondary section, took place in the Armenian Catholic Mesrobian High School’s «Farajian» auditorium, in the presence of the school principal along with the teachers of the secondary section and the members of the administrative staff as well as the 12th grade students.

The school’s vice-principal Mr. Abdel Massih Abou Elias made a speech. He said « We are gathered here on a beautiful occasion which is the book inauguration of the poetry collection «If my tears had only talked» by Mr. Michel Kheir. This book is the collection of the poet’s beautiful feelings that are presented nicely as if it were a musical work of art full of beautiful colors, especially the red color. The book reflects the poet’s different stages of writing that were full of hope and love. In this book, he presents himself as a father who comes upon unexpected events and as a man who is confronted by contradictions such as good and evil, human values and superficial individuals who are carried by senseless self-love ».

After presenting the book, Mr. Abdel Massih Abou Elias congratulated the poet, in the name of the administration and in his name, and hoped he will continue to spread the word for he is «a great teacher and pedagogue who lets the students have a bright future». He also gave thanks to the present teachers and particularly the administration for this beautiful occasion.

Then, Mr. Michel Kheir read to the audience a series of poems from his poetry collection, some of which were written in his adolescent years. His master-pieces talk about love and patriotism. And in one of the poems dedicated to his dear relatives, particularly to his dead wife, he expresses himself by saying that even though his wife was absent, she was still occupying his heart and soul. And in the poem dedicated to his dead mother, he emphasized that a mother remains always the symbol of «will, faith, dreams and carefulness».

In his turn, the school Arabic language and literature teacher Mr. Sami Rahhal made a speech by raising the role of the poetry in developing a man and he mentioned that the poetry expresses feeling, culture and traditions.

He also congratulated both the author and all the present people. Then, he recited a poem written by him to praise Michel Kheir, the author of the book.

Moreover, a graduate student Nathalie Azar made a speech, in the name of the students. She said «We are gathered here to honor our lovely teacher. We are proud of him because he is an open-hearted person and has an immense knowledge and because he did his best to teach us the Arabic philosophy, by becoming himself the best example of a philosopher to all of us. Today, I say again that we are happy and proud of you. Thank you, our very lovely teacher».

Then, Mr. Michel Kheir took a souvenir photo with the school principal Mr. Gregoire Kaloust, the vice-principal Abdel Massih Abou Elias, the literature teacher Sami Rahhal and the graduate student Nathalie Azar.