The Talk

Immerse yourself in the rich history of Saida, an emblematic city that has long served as a meeting point for cultures, conquests, and traditions. From the era of the Crusades to the dawn of the 21st century, Saida has borne witness to centuries of coexistence and transformation.    

Jean-Paul Sacy will introduce us to the recently published book “Saida: A Family, a House, Kasr and Khan Sacy”  published by his father, André Sacy (see below)  who takes readers on a captivating journey through the city’s past. It tells the intertwined story of a town, a family, and a historic home—silent witnesses to the ebbs and flows of history. More than a chronicle, the book is an invitation to explore Saida through the eyes of those who lived its defining moments.     

The presentation of the book will be led by his son, Jean-Paul Sacy. As the head of EMEA for Wand AI, Jean-Paul has built a career at the intersection of leadership, innovation, and technology. With a distinguished track record that spans Baker Hughes, EY, DuPont, Lummus Digital, and Celerant Consulting, he has consistently driven transformative solutions across industries. 

In addition to his professional achievements, he founded 42Beirut, a coding school in Lebanon that trains 200 aspiring coders annually. Passionate about civic engagement, he has spearheaded initiatives to boost voter participation during Lebanese legislative campaigns and actively fosters alumni communities through ESCP in France and ESIB in Lebanon.     

André Sacy (1944-2024)

Born in Beirut in 1944, André Sacy was passionate about the history of Saida and deeply attached to his family roots in the town. An honorary professor of dentistry at Saint-Joseph University and a former member of the Lebanese Dental Council, he has been responsible for organizing numerous car rallies within the Automobile et Touring Club du Liban (ATCL, including the first women's rally in the Middle East, La Coupe des Dames 1973. 

Previous publications include Saïda d'hier et d'aujourd'hui (2011), Chroniques du Levant (2019), and a booklet Sur les pas du Christ au Liban (2022).     

Nota Bene: it was André who took Karaz w Laimoon members on a memorable visit to Saida's heritage sites with a great lunch in Deir el Mokhaless. That was in 2017 and based on its success, KWL proceeded to conduct similar trips over 2017-2019 (Seventeen in total).