As Lebanon marks the 50th anniversary of the outbreak of its civil war, the Lebanese Kataeb Party is not just reflecting on history, but also ensuring that its lessons are passed down to future generations.

Patrick Richa, Head of the Kataeb Party’s Media Department, may not have lived through the Lebanese Civil War himself, but its impact is deeply ingrained in his personal history.

“I didn’t experience the war firsthand, but I lived until the late 1990s on the street parallel to Maroun Maroun Street,” Richa said in an interview on Voice of Lebanon. “That area is home to four key sites tied to the resistance.”

“This entire neighborhood is etched with the spirit of resistance,” he added. “It means a great deal to me personally. My father, Antoine Richa, was a fighter and held a leadership role in this area. In every corner, we’ve lost someone. There’s no doubt that we are all deeply moved by that legacy.”

For the Kataeb Party, commemorating April 13 goes beyond a mere ritual, it is part of the party's core identity, Richa emphasized.

“This is embedded in us, just like September 14, the anniversary of President-elect Bashir Gemayel’s assassination, or November 22, which is both Independence Day and the anniversary of our party’s founding, as well as the day our comrade, former Minister Pierre Gemayel, was assassinated,” Richa said. “These are pivotal moments we grow up remembering and learning from.”

Richa went on to explain that the party’s media department has been preparing for this year’s commemoration for over a month, producing video content aimed at educating younger generations, particularly in light of what he described as the historical suppression during the Syrian occupation.

“We need to talk about this chapter of our history. It wasn’t a war between Lebanese factions—it was a war between the Lebanese and foreign occupiers,” he said.

This year’s slogan—"Our story is one of resistance, our mission is Lebanon”— was intentionally chosen, Richa explained.

“It reflects our commitment to honoring our struggle and to building a new Lebanon. It’s up to the next generation to decide who was right and who was unjust.”

Richa also expressed hope that the President of the Republic would align with the party’s position and call for a national conference focused on truth-telling and reconciliation.

“We hope the president’s words will echo ours, in calling for a conference that confronts the truth and paves the way for national healing.”