EGYPT, YOU WILL FOREVER HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE IN OUR HEARTS!
A Journey of Gratitude, Friendship, Inspiration, Peace and Unforgettable Rotary Fellowship
The Rotary Foundation Seminar 2026
Districts 2451 & 2452 | Cairo, Egypt | October 23–25, 2026
To our dearest PDG Abdul Hamid El Awa, our distinguished DG Dr. Hisham Shawky, dear PP Lamiaa Eid, and the entire wonderful Egyptian Organizing Committee,
Before anything else, allow me to express my deepest gratitude, admiration, and heartfelt appreciation to each and every one of you.
As our extraordinary journey in Egypt comes to an end, my heart is overflowing with emotion, affection, and wonderful memories, but above all, with immense gratitude towards those who made this exceptional experience possible.
Dear Abdul Hamid, a very special and affectionate thank-you goes to you.
Thank you for your generous invitation, your constant kindness, your remarkable dedication, and the extraordinary warmth with which you welcomed us.
Your friendship, your sincere generosity, and your tireless commitment to Rotary have touched us deeply.
To our distinguished DG Dr. Hisham Shawky, to dear PP Lamiaa Eid, and to every member of the Egyptian organizing team, please accept my heartfelt congratulations and deepest appreciation.
Your dedication, professionalism, attention to the smallest details, and extraordinary hospitality transformed this seminar into something truly exceptional.
From the inspiring sessions and meaningful encounters to the magnificent excursions, delightful gatherings, memorable evenings, and unforgettable cultural experiences, everything reflected your generosity, your elegance, and your tremendous efforts.
I am especially grateful to all those who worked tirelessly, sometimes behind the scenes, giving so generously of their time, energy, and hearts to make every moment so memorable.
You did not simply organize a Rotary Foundation Seminar. You created a meeting of minds, an encounter of cultures, a celebration of friendship, and, above all, a meeting of hearts.
On behalf of myself and the Rotary Club Beirut Cosmopolitan, and with warm appreciation from our Rotary family in District 2452, I extend my sincere gratitude and admiration to our Egyptian hosts and to everyone who contributed to this extraordinary success.
You have made us feel not merely welcomed, but truly embraced as members of your own family.
And that, dear friends, is one of the most beautiful expressions of the Rotary spirit.
A PARTICULARLY LOVING THOUGHT FOR OUR BELOVED DISTRICT GOVERNOR MAY MOUNLA CHMAYTELLYBefore continuing, I wish to express a very special and deeply affectionate thought for our beloved District Governor, May Mounla Chmaytelly, whose absence was profoundly felt throughout this remarkable gathering.
Dear May, how much we wished you could have been with us!
You were constantly present in our thoughts, our conversations, and, above all, in our hearts.
We know how deeply you cherish Rotary, how generously you give of yourself, and how devoted you are to our District, our clubs, and every member of our Rotary family.
We would have loved to share every moment of this exceptional seminar with you, especially the meaningful encounters, the celebrations of friendship, and the historic signing of the ICC Lebanon–Greece.
Although circumstances prevented you from being physically among us, your spirit, your leadership, and your presence accompanied us every step of the way.
During these particularly challenging moments, please know that you are surrounded by our deepest affection, solidarity, love, and heartfelt wishes for strength, serenity, and brighter days ahead.
Dear May, we missed you tremendously. You are loved, appreciated, and cherished more than words can ever express. 
A SEMINAR OF INSPIRATION, LEADERSHIP AND SHARED VISIONMy warmest congratulations and gratitude go to all the distinguished speakers and participants whose inspiring presentations enriched our understanding of Rotary’s mission, The Rotary Foundation, humanitarian service, peacebuilding, leadership, and international cooperation.
Each speaker brought valuable knowledge, meaningful experience, and a vision that reminded us how much we can accomplish when we work together with conviction, compassion, and determination.
A very special thank-you to our dear PDG Ashot Karapetyan, for his wisdom, thoughtful guidance, valuable insights, and the encouragement he so generously shares. His commitment to The Rotary Foundation and his inspiring Rotary leadership are deeply appreciated.
I also wish to express my sincere gratitude to PDG Mohammed Ghammam, our distinguished Tunisian friend and former President of the ICC Executive Council, for his generosity, wisdom, and precious advice.
I will carry his thoughtful recommendations with me as we embark upon this new and meaningful international commitment.
I am particularly grateful for the time he so generously devoted to sharing his experience, offering valuable guidance, and encouraging me with such sincerity and kindness. His advice is a precious gift that I deeply appreciate and will remember with gratitude.
A HISTORIC AND DEEPLY PERSONAL MOMENT — THE SIGNING OF THE ICC LEBANON–GREECEAmong the many unforgettable moments of this journey, one will forever occupy a very special place in my heart.
On October 24, 2026, during the Rotary Foundation Seminar at the American University in Cairo, we had the great privilege of celebrating the official signing of the Intercountry Committee between Lebanon and Greece, during the session dedicated to Peace Goals of Rotary Service.
My deepest and most heartfelt gratitude goes to our distinguished Greek friend, PDG Panayiotis T. Katrougalos, Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator (RRFC), 2026–2029, whose important responsibilities within The Rotary Foundation, remarkable experience, leadership, and commitment to Rotary’s ideals make his support especially meaningful.
Dear Panayiotis, it was a tremendous privilege and a profound personal honour to have you beside us for this historic signature.
Your presence, your encouragement, your friendship, and the generous support you extend to us have given this moment a very special significance.
I am equally honoured and deeply grateful to PDG Annemarie Mostert, President of the ICC Executive Council, whose distinguished presence, warmth, support, and commitment to international understanding made this occasion all the more memorable.
But beyond the importance of this historic ICC signing, dear Annemarie, I wish to thank you from the depths of my heart for something equally precious: the privilege of getting to know you personally, of sharing such meaningful conversations with you, and of receiving your invaluable advice, thoughtful guidance, and heartfelt encouragement.
Your generosity of spirit, your wisdom, your sincerity, and the genuine warmth with which you shared your experience have touched me deeply. I cannot thank you enough for the kindness and confidence you have shown me.
What makes these encounters so exceptional is that they go far beyond Rotary responsibilities and official occasions. They give birth to beautiful human connections, to friendships that begin naturally, grow through mutual respect, and gradually become bonds of genuine affection and trust.
This is one of Rotary’s most wonderful gifts: wherever we travel, wherever we serve, we discover extraordinary people, forge new friendships, renew cherished bonds, and find our great international family growing ever larger, richer in humanity, generosity, and gratitude.
Dear Annemarie, I truly cherish this beautiful friendship that is beginning to blossom between us, and I sincerely hope it will continue to flourish through the years. Thank you for your encouragement, your precious guidance, and for making me feel part of an even greater family of friendship, mutual appreciation, and shared Rotary values.
Dear Annemarie and dear Panayiotis, sharing this exceptional moment with both of you was not only an honour but a source of immense pride, emotion, and inspiration.
Thank you for believing in the power of bridges built between nations, cultures, and people.
My warmest appreciation also goes to our Greek ICC President, Tasos Balas, to our National Coordinators Maria Delivoria and PP Nicolas Choueiri, and to all our wonderful Greek and Lebanese Rotary friends who have contributed to bringing this beautiful initiative to life.
As someone whose roots are both Greek and Lebanese, this moment touched the deepest part of my identity.
For me, the ICC Lebanon–Greece is far more than an agreement between two countries. It is the meeting of two civilizations whose historical, cultural, and human connections stretch back through centuries.
It is a bridge of friendship between two nations, a bridge between histories and cultures, and above all, a bridge between hearts.
I sincerely hope that this signature marks the beginning of a long and fruitful journey filled with cultural exchanges, humanitarian initiatives, meaningful service projects, genuine solidarity, and enduring friendships.
To all our dear Greek friends who could not be present in Cairo because of family obligations or other commitments, please know how much we missed you.
We look forward with immense joy to our next gathering and to everything we shall accomplish together.
May this new chapter, written hand in hand by our Greek and Lebanese friends, become a beautiful testimony to Rotary’s power to unite people in friendship, service, and peace.
TO OUR WONDERFUL INTERNATIONAL ROTARY FAMILYHow extraordinary it has been to reconnect with dear friends, discover new personalities, exchange experiences, share laughter, and meet remarkable Rotarians from so many different parts of the world!
What touched me most was not only the diversity of nationalities and cultures, but the exceptional quality of the people we encountered — people of substance, integrity, generosity, intelligence, sincerity, and tremendous heart.
To all our wonderful Egyptian Rotarians from District 2451, our dear Lebanese fellow Rotarians from District 2452, and the many international friends who shared this beautiful experience, I extend my warmest gratitude.
Each encounter reminded me that Rotary is not simply an organization.
Rotary is an ever-growing family, united not by borders or nationality, but by shared values, compassion, friendship, and a common desire to make the world a better place.
Every handshake, every conversation, every smile, and every sincere gesture of affection strengthened that conviction.
I return home richer in friendships, richer in inspiration, and more determined than ever to serve, to connect, and to build bridges wherever Rotary takes me.
AND THEN THERE IS EGYPT — MAGNIFICENT, TIMELESS, IRRESISTIBLE EGYPT!How can I possibly describe the beauty of this extraordinary country?
Egypt is not merely a destination. It is an emotion, a civilization, a living poem, an unforgettable experience.
From the timeless majesty of the pyramids to the magnificent treasures of its museums, from the magic of the Nile to the vibrant streets of Cairo, every moment has been a celebration of history, culture, beauty, and life.
The Grand Egyptian Museum was an absolutely extraordinary experience — undoubtedly one of the most impressive and magnificent museums I have ever had the privilege of visiting.
As someone who deeply cherishes art, history, and cultural heritage, I was profoundly moved by its grandeur, the extraordinary treasures it preserves, and the way it celebrates one of humanity’s greatest civilizations.
But beyond the beauty of its monuments and the richness of its history, Egypt possesses something even more precious.
The soul of its people.
The warmth, generosity, contagious laughter, spontaneous kindness, genuine hospitality, and irresistible joy of living of the Egyptian people are beyond description.
There is a special energy in Egypt, a wonderful ability to make visitors feel welcomed, appreciated, and loved.
You communicate happiness. You radiate optimism. You make strangers feel like friends and friends feel like family.
To dear Nelli and the entire Zaan Travel team, my warmest appreciation for your excellent organization, thoughtful guidance, professionalism, and care throughout our journey.
Our excursions, discoveries, and beautifully arranged visits allowed us to experience so many fascinating aspects of this remarkable country.
And how could we ever forget our enchanting evenings on the Nile, the delightful conversations, the wonderful company, the music, the laughter, and the precious moments shared with friends?
AND WHAT A SPECTACULAR FINALE — THE MAGIC OF EGYPTIAN FOLKLORE!The magnificent cultural and folkloric celebration that concluded our seminar was a masterpiece of elegance, refinement, beauty, and artistic expression.
The extraordinary dancers, musicians, magnificent costumes, graceful movements, rhythm, colours, and enchanting atmosphere transported us into the very heart of Egyptian culture.
It was not simply a performance.
It was a celebration of the Egyptian soul, its traditions, its poetry, its passion, its dignity, and its extraordinary love of life.
The unforgettable voices of Oum Kalthoum and Warda seemed to echo through the atmosphere, awakening the memories, emotions, and timeless magic of the great Arab musical heritage.
For a moment, history, art, music, and emotion became one.
What elegance! What grace! What extraordinary talent! What a wonderful way to end such a memorable gathering!
This artistic finale reflected the very essence of Egypt:
A country where beauty meets generosity, history meets vitality, and culture embraces the human heart.
EGYPT, THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS!Thank you for your hospitality.
Thank you for your friendship.
Thank you for your generosity, warmth, sincerity, and unforgettable kindness.
Thank you for the memories that will remain with us long after we have returned home.
We came to Egypt as Rotarians from different countries and different backgrounds.
We leave as friends, as one family, and as people whose hearts have grown closer through the extraordinary spirit of Rotary.
May the friendships born and renewed during these precious days continue to flourish.
May our dreams become projects, our projects become meaningful action, and our shared commitment create a lasting impact on the lives of others.
And may we all meet again very soon — in Beirut, Athens, Bari, Barcelona, or wherever friendship and Rotary bring us together.
Until we meet again, Inshallah!
With all my love, admiration, appreciation, and warmest Rotary friendship.
Olga Feghali
Congratulations to ICC Lebanon–Greece!
