Benghazi – The Al-Ahly Benghazi 81 Youth Veterans Association organized a tribute ceremony last Tuesday evening at the Leaders of the Gifted High School in Benghazi, celebrating a group of prominent Libyan artists who have left a distinct artistic mark on the national cultural scene.
The ceremony was attended by a number of cultural and sports figures, in a gesture that underscores the human intersection between the fields of art and sports. During the ceremony, a group of veteran artists were honored, including: Abeer Al-Tarhouni, Salah Al-Sheikhi, Salem Al-Quraizi, Faraj Abdulkarim, Fathi Badr, Souad Khalil, Awad Al-Samin, Miloud Al-Amrouni, Eid Saeed, Kariman Jabr, Salem Issa, Salwa Al-Maqsabi, Fathi Al-Ammari, and Hamad Al-Gharbawi.
In a moving speech, artist Hamad Al-Gharbawi told the Libyan News Agency, “This honor is not just a certificate of appreciation, but a renewal of the covenant between us and our audience, and a motivation to continue our artistic contribution with all love and sincerity.”
For her part, artist Salwa Al-Maqsabi expressed her gratitude, saying, “I feel that this day is the culmination of all the years of toil and work, and I dedicate it to everyone who believed in Libyan art and gave it space to shine.”
In turn, the head of the Al-Ahly Benghazi 81 Youth Veterans Association, Musa Al-Agouri, said, “This event demonstrates the meaning of loyalty and confirms that art and sports are two sides of the same coin, both expressing national identity and embodying the bright image of Libya.” He added that the association has honored more than 60 national figures who left an impact in various fields over the past years.
Former international player Ali Al-Bishari also expressed his pride in participating, saying, “These artists are part of our memory and our conscience, and honoring them today reflects the respect of the new generations for those who preceded them on the path of giving.”
The ceremony concluded with the distribution of loyalty shields amidst warm applause from the attendees, who affirmed that such initiatives contribute to promoting a culture of gratitude and consecrate Libya’s cultural and sports memory in a spirit of loyalty and appreciation.