Ramsco's Women Empowerment Initiative Recognized Among Top BRICS Businesswomen Practices for 2025    Egypt, Elsewedy review progress on Ain Sokhna phosphate complex    Gold prices end July with modest gains    Pakistan says successfully concluded 'landmark trade deal' with US    Egypt's FM, US envoy discuss Gaza ceasefire, Iran nuclear talks    Modon Holding posts AED 2.1bn net profit in H1 2025    Egypt's Electricity Ministry says new power cable for Giza area operational    Egypt's Al-Sisi, Italian defence minister discuss Gaza, security cooperation    Egypt's FM discusses Gaza, Nile dam with US senators    Aid airdrops intensify as famine deepens in Gaza amid mounting international criticism    Health minister showcases AI's impact on healthcare at Huawei Cloud Summit    On anti-trafficking day, Egypt's PM calls fight a 'moral and humanitarian duty'    Federal Reserve maintains interest rates    Egypt strengthens healthcare partnerships to enhance maternity, multiple sclerosis, and stroke care    Egypt keeps Gaza aid flowing, total tops 533,000 tons: minister    Indian Embassy to launch cultural festival in Assiut, film fest in Cairo    Egyptian aid convoy heads toward Gaza as humanitarian crisis deepens    Culture minister launches national plan to revive film industry, modernise cinematic assets    Rafah Crossing 'never been closed for one day' from Egypt: PM    I won't trade my identity to please market: Douzi    Two militants killed in foiled plot to revive 'Hasm' operations: Interior ministry    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Egypt, Oman discuss environmental cooperation    Egypt's EDA explores pharma cooperation with Belarus    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Lebanese musicians honor their nation in a somber but hopeful concert
Published in Daily News Egypt on 01 - 09 - 2006

CAIRO: Last night at the Cairo Opera House Lebanese musicians sang of love, suffering and change at a benefit concert entitled Beirut Won't Cry. The meaningful performances were meant to signal the Lebanese people's ability to rebuild their country after the destruction left by the Israeli aggression. Four weeks of air strikes tore apart clinics, schools, bridges, roads and factories, and caused a major oil spill.
The event began with a short film reflecting on conflict and peace, setting the tone for the evening's songs. The Upper Egypt Choir, which sang a rendition of a Marcel Khalife classic, Salamun Alayki, gave an upbeat prelude and ended their performance with a message of patriotism in Hay Ali Baladna, during which they exhibited their well-known stick choreography. The songs were dedicated to the Lebanese children.
Then Lebanese singer-composer Tania Saleh took to the stage with her band and treated the audience to a mix of Oriental and Western instrumentations. Saleh sings of society, disillusion, and identity. Her song Ya Leil Ya 'Ein speaks of how youth have become influenced by Western ideas. In Al Jil Al Jadeed, Saleh challenges the current generation to find meaning in life through respect and hard work. The Sorbonne-educated artist has been praised in the Lebanese music scene for her fresh tunes and relevant lyrics, as well as her sophisticated musical arrangements.
If Saleh is the new voice calling for rebellion and change, Samy Hawwat is the veteran songwriter who rocked the boat through his political activism. Known in Lebanon for his songs about the civil war, Hawwat captivated the audience with his nationalistic lyrics and popular melodies.
"Since your grave became my country, I will not leave, he sang. The lyrics came from Lebanese poet Rasan Matar's eulogy to his daughter, who was killed in the civil war. Hawwat also composed music for the defiant verses of Egyptian poet Bayram Al-Tunisi: "Why should I go barefoot, when I'm the one making your shoes? Why should I stay naked while I am the one making your beds?
Hawwat's singing and oud-playing were accompanied by a riq, kanoun and a saxophone, creating a belligerent but soothing sound. His statements expressing tacit support for the resistance drew cheers from the audience. "Many do not take risks, but one percent stand to fight for the Lebanese, his song Rai Il Am conveyed.
The concert's finale brought to the stage Lebanese diva Jahida Wehbe, whose presence undoubtedly filled the auditorium. She gave a rendition of Fayrouz's Akhidni, and sang the poetry of Mahmoud Darwish and Gunter Grass. Wehbe's rich and expressive voice, accompanied by a mix of piano, violins, kanoun, and other Oriental instruments, was a forceful ending to a night honoring Lebanon.
Egyptian film stars Ahmed El-Sakka, Menna Shalaby, Basma and Khaled Saleh also graced the evening, giving somber commentaries about the conflict and introducing the artists.
The main hall of the opera house was filled with an audience of Egyptians, Lebanese and other foreigners, who showed great appreciation for the performances. All revenues from the concert will go to the Higher Relief Commission of the Lebanese Cabinet, via the Lebanese embassy.


Clic here to read the story from its source.