From Bsharri to São Paulo: Gibran’s words transcend borders

The legacy of Lebanese poet, writer, and painter Khalil Gibran echoed through the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce in São Paulo as the city paid homage to one of Lebanon’s most enduring cultural figures. The ceremony, organized by the Brazil–Lebanon Cultural Association, marked the launch of two exhibitions dedicated to Gibran’s life and legacy, both celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Gibran Museum in his hometown of Bsharri, Lebanon.

A bridge between worlds

Brazilian philosopher Lúcia Helena Galvão Maya opened the evening with a reflection on Gibran’s spiritual and philosophical depth, quoting passages from The Prophet and exploring how his words transcend time, geography, and religion. “The voice of Al Mustafa, the prophet, is the voice of the human essence,” she said, describing Gibran as a thinker who united East and West through universal truths.

The event also featured remarks from Rudy El Azzi, Lebanon’s Consul General in São Paulo, who emphasized how Gibran’s writings capture the emotions of migration and belonging. “Through his work, he expressed the longing and hope of every immigrant searching for their future,” he said.

Music, memory, and cultural continuity

The night was accompanied by a performance from the musical group 1001 Noites, who played traditional pieces by Egyptian composer Sayed Darwish, many made famous by Fairuz, using instruments like the riqq, qanun, and flute. The music underscored Gibran’s message of unity through art and emotion. Leaders of the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, joined in recognizing the ongoing efforts of Lody Brais and Nouha Brais Nader, the driving forces behind the exhibitions, for preserving Gibran’s cultural heritage across continents.

Exhibiting the legacy

Opening to the public on November 26 at Casa das Rosas, the exhibition will present 21 photographic enlargements of Gibran’s major paintings and images of the Cedars region in northern Lebanon. In May 2026, the exhibition will move to São Paulo’s Immigration Museum, extending the celebration of Gibran’s vision of love, art, and humanity.

Khalil Gibran, born in 1883 in Bsharri and passed away in 1931 in New York, remains one of Lebanon’s most influential voices, his words continuing to inspire generations around the world. As São Paulo’s tribute shows, his philosophy still resonates in the meeting point between nostalgia and modernity, between Lebanon and its diaspora.