Canada Promotes Cultural Exchange Through Maple Syrup Week at AUB

With the aim of promoting cultural exchange week between the Canadian and Lebanese communities, the McGill Alumni Association in Lebanon organized “McGill Maple Syrup Week” at the American University of Beirut on July 1-2, 2011.

Offering free pancakes and maple syrup outside West Hall, Canadian Embassy volunteers explained to visitors the importance of maple syrup in Canada’s cultural fabric.

Canada produces 85 percent of the world’s maple syrup, which used to be the standard sweetener in North America until 1875, when cane sugar became available. Maple syrup is considered an anti-oxidant with anticancerous and anti-inflammatory properties. The maple leaf figures on Canada’s national flag.

AUB Vice-President for Advancement Richard Brow, a Canadian himself, welcomed everyone, thanking the Canadian Embassy and McGill alumni for organizing the event.

David Da Silva, the Canadian Embassy’s political public affairs officer, highlighted the similarities between McGill, his alma mater, and AUB, noting that they even share the red-and-white official colors. “[Both] are known for excellence in medicine, engineering, liberal arts… and therefore make for great partners,” he said, adding with a laugh: “Most importantly, both have a large number of Lebanese students.”

Maple Syrup Week will also include a public event in Martyrs’ Square on July 2, 2011 from 6 pm to 10 pm.