Summer festivals in the Shuf attract visitors and a hiking with army soldiers

An Nahar newspaper published a report about the summer festivals in the Shuf area which, unlike in other parts of Lebanon, were carried out according to plans notwithstanding the current political and security situation.  As such, and according to tourism coordinator, Kamal Abu Assi, villages in the Shuf had some 65,000 visitors this year compared to 60,000 for last year and that is as a result of the various activities organized by the municipalities and other organizations.
Abu Assi told An Nahar that despite the difficult general context, the Beiteddine festival kicked off as planned in addition to other festivals in the region and that is within the framework of a development marketing plan for the areas.  Festivals include Khraybet al-Shuf, Baruk, Maasser al-Shuf and Mresti.  Abu Assi added that Maasser Shuf will inaugurate a hiking activity as of September 7th which consists of a 17 kilometers walk to the Maasser el Shuf cedar forest.  He expects some 1500 civilians and army forces to join this hike.  Within the same vein, the Botmeh el Shuf municipality celebrated last week the launch of its annual village festival under the auspices of the president of the Democratic Encounter, MP Walid Jumblat represented by his son Teymur.

Source: Al-Nahar 1 September 2014