14 Ways You Celebrated Lebanon’s Independence Day As A Kid

Gone are the days when we used to wholeheartedly celebrate Independence Day. Remember how schools used to organize two-hour long ceremonies? The students raising the flag were the big shots that everyone gossiped about. Here are 14 throwbacks we had about celebrating Independence Day at Lebanese schools. What are yours?

1. Eating free man’ouche at school

Independence Day = a saj station at work. Couple with juice for ultimate experience.

2. Wearing the flag as a hat

3. Learning the lyrics to the anthem and saying them like a poem

But it was still melodic.

4. Wearing red, white, and green as a patriotic fashion statement

And your mom low-key stressing about the fact that you don’t have any red clothes.

5. Learning about the meaning of each flag color

White is for peace and purity, red for martyrdom, and green for our cedars. Good times.

6. Wearing an army uniform

7. Singing “tam tam tam” in your heart because the teacher won’t let you do it

You felt like a lil rebel didn’t you?

8. Dabke-ing with your class

The party of the century.

9. Jamming to raje3 yet3amar lebnen

10. Lebanese flag face-painting

As soon as you walk in

Your mom: “Fout(eh) ghassel(eh) weja/ik hala2”

11. Watching the military parade and mimicking it with your family

12. Having to stand in the sun for a straight two hours during the school ceremony

But that’s fine cause that meant no French or Arabic class this morning.

13. Your teacher giving you a kebbeh cooking workshop