Fairuz - Baalbeck International Festival 1998

After 25 years of absence, Fairuz returned to the International Festival of Baalbeck in 1998. She presented over 6 nights, in collaboration with Mansour Rahbani, different parts of three great musicals that were first performed in the 60s and 70s: Jisr El Amar (Bridge of the Moon), Jbal El Sawwan (Sawwan Mountains) and Naturet El Mafateeh (The Guardian of the Keys). In 2006, the Show was broadcasted on LBC, und fortunately someone recorded and uploaded most of it. Here you'll find some excerpts, in addition to some TV-reports and press articles.

You can download the videos in better quality from 4shared by clicking on the title.

                                              1. A Song for Baalbeck

 

Excerpts from the Play: Jisr El Amar

1. Ossa Ana - Kan Ya Ma Kan                                        2.Am Yebghdou Ba'adon

                                                 3.Badna Na'aref Ya Sabbye                                 

 

4.Sene An Sene                                                             5. Habibi A'al Ntorini

 

    

6. Massikon Bel Khaye                                                  7. Dabke (Dayetna Bi Bali)

    

Excerpts from the Play: Jbal El Sawwan

1. Ana Gherbe                                                               2. Khalli El Farah Yerja'a - Gherbe and Fatek 

3. Balbale Balbale                                                          4. Badna Nkammel Belli Be'yiou 

                                                5. Baddi Ehki Ma'akon

                                                ( This video has been broadcasted on New-TV

                                                                  during the July War 2006 )  

 

Excerpt from the Play: Naturet El Mafateeh
                                                 Waynon

 

 
Extras:
1. Tallayt A'a Baalbeck                                                   2. Lawah Mandeelek 
                                       

TV Reports:

1. LBC Report                                                                2.CNN Report

 

Press Articles:

Fairouz moves Lebanon to tears (BBC)

Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/151481.stm

Fairouz, one of the Arab world's most famous singers, has played a concert at the international Baalbek festival in her native Lebanon for the first time in more than 20 years.

She played to an audience of more than 3,000 on the steps of a vast ruined Roman temple in the eastern city of Baalbek.

The famous diva, who is seen as a symbol of the country's survival through its years of turmoil and unrest during the 15-year civil war, last sang there in 1974, the year before the war began.

In an emotionally-charged evening, Fairouz and her troupe of 70 dancers sang and acted out folk tales of village love, conflict and reconciliation.

The performance drew spontaneous outbursts of applause, and many in the audience were moved to tears.

Enduring symbol

Throughout Lebanon's civil war, Fairouz stood out as one of the few true symbols of nationalism, widely respected for refusing to perform in any part of the then divided country.

Many Lebanese say they find it hard to listen to her music without remembering the dark days of the war and reflecting on their own personal losses.

Her music is still hugely popular.

Every morning at seven many of the country's Arabic radio stations begin their programmes with up to an hour of Fairouz recordings.

The festival at Baalbek was attended by President Elias Hrawi and several Cabinet ministers and members of Parliament.

After the concert the president hugged Fairouz.

"You are the opera of Baalbek. Festivals should start with you because you have become a part of Lebanon's history," he said.