Rashaya unfolds the longest Lebanese flag ever made at Yawm el-Dibs

In the heart of Lebanon’s Chouf region, the village of Rashaya awoke to a breathtaking sight: a Lebanese flag stretching 300 meters along its streets and seven meters wide. The flag, a bold symbol of national pride and unity, became the centerpiece of Yawm el-Dibs, drawing residents, families, and visitors alike to follow its full length and witness the living pulse of the village.

Raydan Mahmoud of the Rashaya Municipality highlighted the historic scale of this year’s Lebanese flag. “We believe it may enter the Guinness World Records,” he said. Visitors were so captivated that many asked for the flag to remain in place, hoping to climb up and take more photographs. School students were given the opportunity to see the flag up close, adding an educational dimension to the celebration. “People loved it,” Mahmoud added.

It was a big event for Lebanon, and the press was impressed by the sheer number of attendees.

Now in its seventh year, Yawm el-Dibs is a celebration of heritage, harvest, and community, drawing around 20,000 visitors from across Lebanon. Rashaya and Beyond told The Beiruter that this year’s festival was designed to showcase the village and its famous grape jam. “The festival is meant to give people a chance to get to know Rashaya,” said Nizar Mehanna, president of the association.

Visitors hike through the vineyards to see how jam is made, enjoy traditional Rashaya Dabke performances, and explore local landmarks like the Rashaya Castle.

Mehanna emphasized that it is also an opportunity “to support the people of Rashaya economically while celebrating the culture and traditions of the village.”

The festival is held at the historic Rashaya Souk and along the streets leading to the main and secondary markets. Visitors explore traditional grape presses, shop for local produce and handicrafts, and take excursions to the Independence Castle, experiencing both the village’s heritage and its enduring culture. The exhibition of local produce featured the distinctive honey of Rashaya and its surrounding villages, labneh, jams, sweets, and other homemade and locally produced foods. Craft exhibitions displayed decorative items, accessories, embroidery, and handcrafted household tools. Adding to the festive atmosphere, musicians played guitar and oud in the streets, filling the air with music as visitors strolled through the village and its bustling souks.

Though fleeting, Yawm el-Dibs leaves traces that linger far beyond its streets. In a nation often defined by struggle, Rashaya offers a vision of what endures: craft, pride, and the unshakeable pulse of culture. Beneath the 300-meter flag, Lebanon’s heart beats strong.