The Renaissance... in the Koura

In Lebanon there is a large number of charitable, literary, and cultural associations; some of them work with unceasing activity, while others sleep the sleep of the People of the Cave, so that not a sound is heard from them. It pleases us that the associations of the Koura — and their number is not to be slighted — stand in the vanguard of the associations working in the various national fields. We mention among them, by way of example, the Young Woman's Renaissance Society of Btourram, the Manar Society in Anfeh, the Flower of Letters Society in Bishmizzine, and other women's associations in Amioun and Kousba.

Worthy of mention is the mighty work accomplished by the Young Men's Association in Fih. A group of rising, cultivated young men was able, in a period not exceeding two years, to carry out works that governments are incapable of performing. It founded a literary club and a first-aid center, and opened roads in the town, and it is now exerting a great effort to bring water to the village and to light it with electricity.

The latest work the association has undertaken in the field of education and instruction is the composition contest among the boy and girl pupils of the elementary certificate from among the sons and daughters of the village. The association held this contest last month, and the first prize — school fees for a full year — was won by the lettered Miss May Sam al-Khoury, whose picture is published above this article; and the second prize — school fees for half a year — by Messrs. Michel al-Nakat and Hanna Farah. The prizes were donated by the administration of the German School in Aaba, Koura.