On a bright August morning in Zahle, the city’s Joseph Skaff Park awoke to the sound of children’s laughter. Balloons swayed gently in the breeze, colorful banners fluttered above the gates, and the park—usually a place of quiet strolls—had transformed into a wonderland.
More than 1,800 children from across the Bekaa Valley poured in, their eyes wide with excitement. It was no ordinary Thursday. It was the “Children’s Era of Peace and Love”—a festival created by GNRC members and Annas Linnas in Lebanon, bringing to life the spirit of the GNRC Sixth Forum through a celebration of joy, love, and learning.
In every corner of the park, children found a new adventure waiting for them. Some stood in line to spin the Wheel of the Stand, eager to test their knowledge. Others climbed the steps of the Ladder of Tolerance, giggling as they learned that kindness and love always take you higher. At another station, children carefully sorted waste in “Throw It in the Right Bin,” discovering how small actions can protect the planet.
Children with disabilities moved freely between the games, included and celebrated as equals. This was not a space for limits—it was a space where every child could learn, play, and belong.
The air buzzed with music. Children danced in circles, their small feet stamping rhythms of innocence and freedom. Parents clapped along, some swaying gently, others guiding little hands through the colorful rides. “I haven’t seen my children this happy in a long time,” one mother whispered, her eyes glistening as she watched her son laugh with abandon.
The atmosphere was alive—applause, cheers, and the kind of unfiltered laughter only children can create. Zahle had become a stage of pure joy, and everyone present was swept up in it.
At the heart of the festival came a moment of quiet magic. One by one, children stepped forward to sign the “Children’s Pledge of Peace and Love.” With crayons and markers, they pledged to be ambassadors of peace in their families, schools, and communities.
Under a big photo frame that read, “Smile because you are a hero of peace and love,” they posed for photos, their faces radiant with pride. In that moment, the message was clear: children are not just tomorrow’s leaders—they are today’s peacemakers.
None of this would have been possible without the solidarity of grassroots associations and friends of Zahle who came together with generous hearts: Annas Linnas Association, GNRC Lebanon, MAMRE, CJC, Zahle Australia Association – Sydney, Friends of the Forgotten Zahle Association, and many more. Their support turned a dream into a day that children will carry in their memories forever.
As the sun dipped lower, families gathered in the amphitheater. The stage lit up with the dazzling performance of the Luna and Playo Teams. Music, theater, and interactive songs filled the space, pulling children to their feet to dance and sing along. By the time gifts were handed out—hygiene kits, school supplies, environmental coloring books, and even tiny clothes for pets—the joy was complete. Each child left not only with a gift in hand but with the feeling that their happiness mattered.
The “Children’s Era of Peace and Love” was more than a day of fun. It was a reminder that when children feel safe, included, and celebrated, they carry those values into the world around them. It was a space where parents and children rediscovered togetherness, where communities united, and where the seeds of peace and love were quietly planted in young hearts.
In Zahle, those seeds are already growing.
“Peace begins with a child’s laughter. In Zahle, 1,800 voices reminded us that joy, love, and learning are the first steps toward a more peaceful tomorrow.”
