NNA - Caretaker Information Minister, Walid Daouk, highlighted the importance of upholding cultural and intellectual heritage, saying "a nation can only be built through dialogue, learning, knowledge and openness rather than seclusion and isolation."



Minister Daouk's words came on Friday during a press conference held under his patronage at the "Holiday Inn-Dune" Hotel by the "Educational Hanna Wakim" Institution to grant Hanna Wakim's Award to the Lebanese novel for the year 2013.



The Institution announced this year's award to the Novelist, Rabih Jaber, in the presence of Caretaker Environment Minister, Nazem El-Khoury, Deputy Henry Helou, and scores of academic and official dignitaries.



"The sole matter which shall persist is culture and the sole weapon which we will inherit to our sons is learning, for the successful building of a better future and risk prevention," Daouk said.



The Minister also shed light on the absolute need for the young generation to shore up their love for reading, as a means to "enrich their education and imagination," and motivate them to develop their talents in writing novels, where creativity and innovation prevail.



Daouk underscored the importance of culture, as the "sole guarantor for survival and the sustainability of the epic of development."



Daouk also heaped praises on the role undertaken by "Hanna Wakim Educational Institution" in supporting creativity and circulating the culture of writing, reading, dialogue and the acceptance of others' opinion, in a way that bolsters democratic principles and stimulates the discovery of promising talents among young people.


---------------------- L.Y