In light of the war and crises ravaging Lebanon, the Lebanese commemorate, on Thursday, the ninetieth anniversary of the birth of Fairouz, a voice that transcended the boundaries of time and place to become an immortal artistic symbol linking generations.
Fairouz’s voice, which formed an integral part of Lebanese memory, is still strongly present in the people’s conscience, and despite the difficult circumstances, the Lebanese did not hesitate to express their love and appreciation for this exceptional artistic stature, by celebrating her birth through social media platforms.
Fayrouz brought together the Lebanese with her songs, despite the political and sectarian divisions that tore them apart. Today, in light of the sound of cannons and the clamor of missiles, her voice acquires a stronger moral dimension than ever before, evoking memories of Lebanon, the dream that its people long for.
Israeli raids and bombings across Lebanon and confrontations have killed more than 3,540 people since October 2023, most of them since the violent Israeli bombing campaign began on September 23.
A national narrative that defies time
The former head of the Professional Artists Syndicate, Jihad Al-Atrash, describes Fayrouz, whose real name is “Nihad Wadih Haddad,” as “the biggest cedar in this country and the greatest voice in it,” stressing that she instilled in the souls of the Lebanese the love of the country and belonging to it. He says, “We never heard a song in her voice without being humbled.” Our hearts are for this voice that God gave us.”
Al-Atrash added in an interview with Al-Hurra website, “Fayrouz’s voice carries the meanings of life and peace, and unites in his love all the people of the country. When we listen to her songs, we conjure the moon, the night, the night, the balconies decorated with pepper and jasmine, and all the details of beautiful Lebanon.”
In light of the current circumstances, as the war between Hezbollah and Israel intensifies, Al-Atrash stresses, “How much we need Fairouz’s voice to bring us back to Baalbek, Tyre, Nabatieh, and all Lebanese cities and regions.”
For his part, art critic Mohamed Hegazy confirms that Fairouz’s birthday goes beyond being a personal celebration to become a holiday for all of Lebanon. He explained, in an interview with the “Al-Hurra” website, that “for 49 years, from 1975 until today, Fairouz, with her voice, has been a symbol of the unity of the Lebanese. She has been able to To assure everyone that she belongs to all of Lebanon, without taking sides, as she proved her true patriotism when she refused to emigrate and remained in Beirut despite the difficult circumstances.”
Since her launch in the 1950s, Fayrouz, or as her fans call her “the moon’s neighbor,” has held an exceptional position as an artistic icon in the Arab world, and she has become the voice of the morning that carries hope for new beginnings.
Timeless art
Fairouz’s voice carries “the hope that encourages a person to move on the path to achieving the goal despite all the difficulties and pitfalls,” says Al-Atrash, explaining that “the ultimate goal is to love Lebanon, belong to it, and support its army and its institutions,” noting that “in the past it was said, Egypt writes, Lebanon prints, and Iraq reads. We were in this Arab world a cultural triangle unparalleled anywhere in the world, and this is what we aspire to now.”
Fairouz sang for love and life, and for the homeland of Lebanon. She sang of its plains, its valleys, its mountains, its hills and its vineyards, presenting in her songs stories that recounted chapters of its history. In her song “I Love You, Lebanon,” she addressed her wounded homeland, expressing the feelings of every Lebanese who belongs to this land, while “For Beirut” became an anthem that carries the pain and dreams of the Lebanese people.
Among her patriotic songs that left a deep impact on memory are “My Homeland, Oh Mountain of Blue Clouds,” “I Stepped on Your Feet,” “I Sang in Your Name,” and “Lebanon, O Green, Your Color is Sweet.”
Fayrouz performed many concerts and festivals in Lebanon and Arab and international cities, and her name was deeply linked to Baalbek Citadel, one of the most prominent monuments in Lebanon. This historic castle was witness to many of her concerts, which left an unforgettable impact in the memory of her audience, as the huge Roman buildings and the beauty of the ancient site added a special dimension to her sound.
Her career was also distinguished by presenting musical plays, which became an essential part of the history of Lebanese art. These plays combined the beauty of words, the magic of melody, and the power of acting performance, the most prominent of which are “Mays Al-Reem,” “Hala and the King,” and “The Station.”
Fayrouz also shined in the world of cinema, presenting a group of films that achieved great success, most notably “The Ring Seller,” “Safar Barlak,” and “Bint al-Haras.”
According to what Hijazi says, Fayrouz was able to gain a wide audience in the Arab world and the respect of the entire world, and he stresses, “It is enough for her to be proud that she refused to go to meet French President Emmanuel Macron when he visited Lebanon, so he visited her personally in her home. This is an exceptional event that reflects her great status, and confirms that the artist when He becomes great in his country, he becomes great in the world.”
She was also able to remain present in the hearts of people throughout these decades, because, as Hijazi says, “she collaborated with two of the greatest geniuses in the history of Arabic music, the brothers Assi and Mansour Al-Rahbani. Her works speak about issues we live in now, as if the Rahbani predicted the future. For example, her song “Here We Will Stay” is as if it was written to keep pace with the current crises, even though it was issued more than fifty years ago.
Al-Atrash also brings up the Rahbani brothers, who shaped their artistic talent in Fairouz’s voice, and says, “They presented this country with the most beautiful works, and brought back to us the image of Lebanon that we still dream of, especially in these difficult days.” He asserts, “I and all the Lebanese say that Lebanon is the dream.” It is the Lebanon of the Rahbanis and the Lebanon of Fayrouz. We hope that the nation will rise from this destruction, as we have always risen with the words and melodies of the Rahbanis, which deepened our love and belonging to Lebanon.”
Today, in times of war and displacement, the Lebanese find solace in Fairouz’s voice and her songs, which emulate homes whose owners were forcibly left, children deprived of their childhood, and trees missing those who surrounded them.
Fairouz, whose voice accompanies the Lebanese people in all their moments, whether in joy or sadness, is more than just an artist. As the poet Mahmoud Darwish described her, “It is the song that always forgets to grow up, it is the one that makes the desert smaller, and the moon bigger.”