In a deeply festive and spiritually driven initiative, a group in Lebanon has launched an extraordinary event this holiday season with aspirations of inscribing the Land of the Cedars in the Guinness World Records. From December 16 to December 23, participants at Sacred Hearts School in Kfardebian are performing a non‑stop Christmas hymn recital scheduled to last 170 uninterrupted hours — more than seven days — in hopes of breaking the record for the longest continuous Christmas carol performance ever.
Organized by Sandra Akiki, a theatre and music teacher at the school, and held under the patronage of Béchara Boutros Raï, Maronite patriarch of Antioch and all the East, the event has drawn students, choirs and community volunteers who believe their collective voices can capture something deeper than a title: a message of joy, resilience and unity for the nation.
While the attempt has a technical goal — meeting Guinness World Records’ strict criteria — it is also designed as a cultural and spiritual act of faith during Christmas. Organizers emphasize that the week‑long performance is meant to symbolize that, despite recent economic and social hardships, Lebanon still has the strength to raise its voice in joy.
Catholic News Agency
According to official guidelines for the record attempt, each hymn must last at least two minutes, and transitions between songs cannot exceed 20 seconds, ensuring the music truly never stops. Additionally, Guinness rules require at least 12 people to remain in the hall at all times, leading organizers to coordinate attendance carefully so the venue is never empty throughout the week‑long marathon.
Participants and supporters say the recital goes beyond the attempt itself, reflecting Lebanon’s enduring culture, art and communal spirit even in the face of ongoing challenges. Quoting St. Augustine, organizers remind observers that “He who sings prays twice,” encapsulating the deeper significance of this marathon Christmas recital.
