BEIRUT: Lebanon is a small country, yet the services it has rendered to humanity throughout the ages greatly exceed its physical dimensions. Those who have visited Lebanon would endorse the fact that the country is endowed with God's gifts that make it an international cultural centre and an ideal place for tourists.

Lebanon has good relations with almost all the countries of the world, taking from them what it needs and giving them what it has. Lebanon has reached this position by achieving success in all walks of life, not to mention a simultaneous intellectual and cultural growth at home.

Lebanon's reputation as the cultural centre of the region was a natural result of its many educational institutions that impart knowledge to students. Universities like the Lebanese University, the American University of Beirut, St.Joseph University and the Lebanese American University educated not only local students but a large number of Arab pupils too.

Along side that, there are thousands of secondary and elementary schools as well as a great many cultural centres and fine arts' institutes. It must be mentioned here that the much talked about artistic movement in Lebanon flourished through the creative works of a host of talented artists such as Hajj, Howayek Ghoussoub, Sharaf, Doweihy, Corm, Sourer, Salibi, Unsi, Farroukh, Canaan, Khalife, Basbous, Aida Marini, Al-Mir, Akel, Garakossian and Turgan.

Some renowned names from the world of literature are: Jibran Khalil Jibran, M Ziadeh, Michael Chiha, Saleh Labaki, Mekaeel Na'imeh, Saeed Akel, Salah Satati Sheikh Abdullah Alayli, Charles Corm, Khalil Ramez Sarkis, Jamil Jaber, Fuad Bustaini, George Ghanem, Hector Khlat, Lila Baalbaki, Rushdi Maalouf, Suhal Adress, Elie Tayyan, Frajallah Hayek and Khalil Gemayel.

This list does not include the names of Lebanese emigrants who have made their mark abroad. Due mention must be made of a large amount (1,500,000) of Lebanese books sent annually to North America, South America, North Africa, Australia, Canada, and Europe, where Arabic is being taught in numerous colleges and universities.

Lebanon by nature is an open country. Its cultural, educational, social and artistic activities are boundless. These days the country, like so many areas of the world, particularly those of Asia and the Middle East, is going through a rapid change.

Traces of the old culture, though, can still be seen. Colourful costumes, embroideries, delicate furniture, silverware, folk dances and melodious Arabic tunes still maintain the spirit of the old times.

The trouble is that the gap between the old culture and the new is widening. In all the branches of fine arts, another set of values is gaining ground. Thinkers and artists are caught between the old and new values.

There is no doubt that Lebanon is an important cultural centre of the Middle East and has acquired with merit the title "Minaret of knowledge and culture". It was only at the beginning of the 19th century, however, that Lebanese education began to take shape.

With the new awareness of the culture of the western world Lebanese began to catch up with Europe by virtue of translated books. The 20th century, in the cultural life, is characterized by diversity. It is the time when arts flourished in all directions in the country.

In modern times Lebanon has produced several good artist and it may be considered the house of intellectuals of the Arab world. The style of a Lebanese artist in the European sense, has usually been either classical or romantic.