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Fairuz: Fans celebrate 90th anniversary of Lebanon’s iconic voice of unity amid war

Posted on by L. Dreeye
Fairuz: Fans celebrate 90th anniversary of Lebanon’s iconic voice of unity amid war

Fairuz, Lebanon’s legendary singer and one of the Arab world’s most respected artists, celebrated her 90th birthday on Thursday amid Israel’s attack on the country.

Known for her songs about Lebanon and her support for the Palestinian cause, Fairuz has an enduring voice that has been passed down through generations, uniting audiences with messages of love, longing and resilience.

Social media was full of memories and emotional reflections on Lebanon, many of which featured one of her most iconic songs released during the Lebanese Civil War: “I love you, O Lebanon, my homeland, I love you.”

“One of the few things we can almost all agree on is Fairuz. From generation to generation, Fairuz’s music has penetrated all our hearts, at home, in wars, in pain, in the diaspora, homesick, everywhere,” wrote one user. “May she always be one of our historical icons.”

“Today Fairuz turns 90 years old. She blows out the candles during another war. Let her be ours too #Lebanon “live forever,” wrote another.

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Many users called her a symbol of unity, a nickname that arose when she remained in Lebanon during the country’s 15-year civil war, and also because she did not take an overt position, which further earned her the respect of the Lebanese despite her different communities and religious differences. .

Translation: #Fairuz90years #IconofLebanon

Happy birthday! May you always be healthy and always be the hope for Lebanon. Green Beauty (Lebanon) will come back stronger than before

One user described her as “a personality of Arab art past and present,” while another user called her “a symbol of unity in times of conflict and war.”

“Despite the ongoing problems, Lebanon will always be beautiful with Fairuz’s voice,” said another.

Other users noted that Fairuz, who is celebrating her 90th birthday, is older than the state of Israel, which was created after the 1948 Nakba.

“Fairuz is 90 years old. Older than their organization,” the user said.

Translation: On his 90th birthday, Fairuz is older than your education and state. #Israel #Palestine #Trump #Netanyahu #Gallant #Gaza #Beirut #Dahiya #Janubiya #Lebanon #Fairuz90yearsold

In an Instagram post, French President Emmanuel Macron also paid tribute to the singer on her birthday: “Fairuz still holds the hearts of so many Palestinians and Lebanese deprived of the peace they deserve.”

“Happy birthday to the woman who embodies the soul of this region with dignity,” Macron added.

After the Beirut port explosion in 2020, Macron met Fairuz and awarded her the prestigious French Legion of Honor, France’s highest official honor.

An Arabic-speaking Israeli army spokesman posted a sarcastic birthday video on X, formerly known as Twitter, addressing Fairuz with a link to lines from her songs, prompting an angry reaction.

Avichai Adraei said: “#Fairuz, how will you sing today to Lebanon, which is wounded by the betrayal, betrayal and occupation of Hezbollah, which put the interests of Iran above the fate of the Lebanese people?”

Social media users came out in defense of Lebanon and Fairuz, often using her lyrics: “One of the most beautiful songs of Fairuz: We are all together, hand in hand, we will build not only Lebanon, but the entire East. With good we will overcome evil,” one user replied.

Several users simply shared the lyrics Zahrat El Madaenor “The Rose of All Cities” is her tribute to the city of Jerusalem, elevating the lines: This is our home and Jerusalem is ours / And with our hands we will restore the splendor of Jerusalem / With our hands the world will return to Jerusalem.

“Fairuz also sang for Lebanon, saying, ‘I love you in every way.’ We love Lebanon, whatever it is and whatever state it is in, and certainly not under your aggression, war or destruction,” another added.

Some users also expressed hope that Adrai would eventually face trial at the International Criminal Court, citing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Thursday.