On Tuesday, 22 September 2026, the Institute for the Development of Poetry and Heritage held a tribute ceremony in the State Parliament building in Sydney, in the Jubilee Hall, honoring Dr. Wissam Hamadeh — a Lebanese creative who has left a rich imprint in medicine, music, and other artistic talents.The event was sponsored by the Minister of Public Services, Digital Government, Emergency Services and Juvenile Justice, Jihad Deeb, the Ministry of Culture in Lebanon, and the Union of Music and Singing Professionals in Lebanon, with gratitude to all.Attendees included His Grace Bishop Basilios Quddisa, represented by Archimandrite Ephrem al-Abbasi; His Grace Bishop Melatius Malaki, represented by Mr. Ghassan al-Tikriti and lawyer Nour al-Tikriti; Ms. Jehan Hikmeh representing the head of the Mar Charbel Monastery in Australia, Father Assad Lahoud; Senator Shoukat Muslimani; Ms. Shadia Hajjar, president of the Mirath Association; Ms. Shahla Asaker, president of the Himana Mandaean Association, with some members of the association; poets Leila al-Saqlawi, Shawqi Muslimani, Ali Wahbe, Abbas Murad, Jamal Tannana and Wadieh Shamikh; members of the cultural salon at the University Forum; the artist Samara; Dr. Yasser al-Nawashi; artist Razan al-Haziri and artist Hassan Qasqas from the troupe of artist-director Abbas Harbi; Mr. Ali Hammoud; broadcaster Nabiha Haddara; heads of associations, business leaders, a distinguished group of intellectuals and writers, members of Arab and ethnic communities, and representatives of visual and audio media.The ceremony was presented by the distinguished broadcaster Ms. Suzan Hourani, who thanked the event’s sponsors, welcomed the honored guests, and praised Dr. Hamadeh’s exceptional creativity and his rich body of work. The event was photographed by Mr. Medhat Khoury and his daughter, Dr. Rozana Khoury.Minister Jihad Deeb spoke about his own journey with culture and heritage beginning in 2013, when lawyer Bahiyya Abu Hamad — whom he met then along with the late Bishop Paul Saliba — asked for his help in preserving poetry and heritage. The minister stressed that heritage does not distinguish between religion, race, or color, but rises to the highest degree of creativity and excellence. He also highlighted Dr. Hamadeh’s remarkable achievements and distinguished artistic career.Lawyer Bahiyya Abu Hamad spoke of Dr. Hamadeh’s merits and his outstanding career in medicine and music, describing Hamadeh’s world as one of “happiness and purity of the soul” that transports us to realms of glory and creativity.Professor Rifaat Obeid delivered a heartfelt message on behalf of Mr. Farid Bou Said, head of the Union of Music and Singing Professionals in Lebanon, who described Hamadeh as “an honorable model of Lebanese competence and creativity” and testified to his contributions and the impact he has left on Lebanon’s artistic and cultural life.Dr. Imad Brou, representing the poet Badawi al-Hajj, president of the World Cultural University, spoke of Hamadeh’s distinctive creativity and the arduous paths he followed in medicine and music, which were crowned with notable and impressive success. As Brou affirmed, “he plays from the heart to the soul,” and he pledged to echo Hamadeh’s famous line: “My voice embraces freedom… I scatter it as love toward humanity.”Mr. Hassan Moussa, representing the Australian Arab Council, praised Dr. Hamadeh’s efforts and his difficult journey toward the success destiny mapped out for him from a young age.There was a moving address from the son, Ni’ma, to his father Wissam, bearing witness to his artistic and cultural legacy, crowned by words full of love, pride, and loyalty. He said: “Your artistic legacy, my father, is not confined to the oud, the strings, and the melodies, but has become part of your family’s and your admirers’ memory… You are truly worthy of being guardians of memory… Thank you for every beautiful moment I spent with you.”Dr. Jamal Rizk, a childhood companion through school, university, specialties, literature, and life’s secrets, nostalgically recalled memories of childhood and adolescent adventures, speaking of them with all their pains and beauties.Poetry closed the program, with poet Jamal Tannana praising Hamadeh through beautiful verses that reflected his arduous journey and unique creative achievements.The finale belonged to the honoree himself, the proud son of the south, who thanked everyone for their generous tribute and spoke of his love and respect for his family, his difficult path, and his success story — from the beautiful shore of Tyre to the lofty citadel of the university, steeped in literature, knowledge, and culture.At the conclusion, Dr. Hamadeh received an honorary medal from the State Parliament, the Creativity Shield and a certificate of appreciation from the Union of Music and Singing Professionals in Lebanon, an appreciation shield from the Institute for the Development of Poetry and Heritage, and certificates of appreciation from Member of Parliament Edmond Atallah, Member of Parliament Ray William, the Lebanese Cultural University in the World, the Australian Arab Council, and the Himana Association, as well as commemorative gifts of appreciation from the Mar Charbel Monastery and Archimandrite Ephrem Abbasi.Congratulations to the creative who enriched his medical practice with experience, knowledge, and skill, who stirred melodies with emotion and raised his beautiful voice to touch the hearts of lovers with love, hope, and art.A thousand congratulations, and many thanks to everyone who contributed, supported, and worked to make this ceremony a success.