At 81, Acclaimed Lebanese Professor Fulfils Lifelong Dream with Launch and Signing of His Debut Solo Masterpiece at Beirut Arab International Book Fair

 By Liza Ayach 

20 May 2025

On Monday, the Seaside Arena in Beirut buzzed with excitement as family, friends, literary enthusiasts, and visitors flocked to the 66th Beirut Arab International Book Fair, which runs from May 15 to 25, for a special book signing event. The occasion marked a proud and long-awaited moment for 81-year-old Lebanese professor and seasoned co-author Talaat Ayash, who unveiled and signed his debut solo book, Yearning for Tomorrow: Visions of a Better Future, fulfilling a personal dream he had cherished for decades.

At the Dar Soual Pavilion, heartfelt moments and animated conversations filled the air as attendees gathered for the launch of Ayash’s inspiring collection of poems and reflections. Through this literary tapestry, Ayash explores the power of love to transcend division, inviting readers on a journey of hope and self-reflection-and challenging us all to embrace change and help shape a more compassionate world. 

Expanding on the vision that inspired his book, Ayash explained:

“I foresee a future void of greed, jealousy, and agony. Only through love and loveliness can one purify the soul and exterminate evil. My book foresees a world of peace of mind and comfort of soul. It transcends the reader from the real substantial world into some sort of terra incognita [unknown land].” 

A moving excerpt from the chapter “Peace on Earth” encapsulates this spirit:

Now that the war has come to an end,

Now that our souls no more sore;

Let’s all together kneel and give thanks

To the God whom we all adore. 

The author further described the emotional chain that binds humanity across generations:

“A world based on true love and mutual relations that link childhood, manhood, and old age-this is a chain of deep, intense emotions. This chain enhances longevity, youth, and vigour. Moreover, free men deny borders between nations, and they choose to be closer to their needs, for there is something in nature that abhors mending walls and maps.” 

Reflecting on his journey, Ayash shared:

“Though I am old in age, I am still young. I feel in me the vigor and effort of youth.” 

Celebrating the art of imagined reality, the release stands out for its ability to transport readers into new dimensions, encouraging them to see beyond the surface of everyday life. 

At the heart of Yearning for Tomorrow is a call to embrace literature’s transformative power. Inspired by classics such as Wuthering Heights, The Lord of the Flies, Heart of Darkness, Homer’s Iliad, The Pearl, and Edgar Allan Poe, Ayash explores love, good and evil, and the human spirit. 

Demonstrating his unwavering optimism, Ayash declared:

“I won’t allow the clock to stop in the dark, even if I am aging. I will do my best or exert effort to restore mature perspectives. Life is too short to be little, so we have to make use of every minute and every second in our life. Sometimes I see the world through my soul, not my eyes. This transcends to a sublime stage in life. I defy. I challenge the dark hours. I will always light a candle in the dark. Even in the dark, I see what I want to see. I can see anything that I desire to see.” 

A poignant excerpt from Yearning for Tomorrow captures the spirit of hope and renewal that defines Ayash’s work: 

As I am aging, I yearn impatiently for a miraculous rebirth. My wings of feather and wax are approaching the sun, but I won’t drown in the sea as Icarus did. Your breeze will lift me high into the sky, where we meet in some other world. Here I find myself born again. Here I will age no more. My life comes full circle.

The event concluded with a sense of community and excitement, as guests departed with autographed books and renewed enthusiasm for literature. 

signings like this foster connections between authors and their readers, encouraging discussion and celebrating storytelling. 

Yearning for Tomorrow is available until May 25 at the Beirut Arab International Book Fair at Dar Soual Pavilion. Readers can also order directly from the publisher by contacting Dar Soual for Publishing & Distribution at www.darsouaal.com. 

Additionally, the book will soon be available at Antoine Bookstores across Lebanon, with preorders starting today. 

About the author: Born in 1944, Talaat Ayash has devoted more than forty years to teaching English Language and Literature in private and public schools across Lebanon. His extensive expertise also spans proofreading, translation, and academic training. In addition to his work in education, he has been a dedicated member of the Civil Service Board (CSB) for over four decades.