Fairouz, Lebanon’s War-Torn Musical Icon, Turns 90

Legendary Arab singer Fairouz celebrated her 90th birthday on Thursday, as Lebanon, her homeland, continues to be torn apart by the ongoing Israel-Hezbollah conflict.

On social media, tributes and songs by the iconic Lebanese artist flooded the internet. Though she has largely stayed out of the public eye in recent years, Fairouz remains an enduring symbol of unity in a nation facing crisis.

One of her most famous songs, released during Lebanon’s civil war, includes the heartfelt lyrics: “I love you, oh Lebanon, my country, I love you.”

French President Emmanuel Macron honored her on Instagram, describing Fairouz as the embodiment of the region’s spirit and dignity. He emphasized how she continues to touch the hearts of Palestinians and Lebanese longing for peace.

Composer and oud player Marcel Khalife also paid tribute to her, stating that Fairouz’s voice is synonymous with his homeland.

Born Nouhad Haddad in 1934 in Beirut’s Zokak al-Blat district, Fairouz hailed from a working-class Christian family. She began studying music at the national conservatory as a teenager. She rose to fame after her debut performance at the Baalbek International Festival in 1957.

On the same day of her birthday, Zokak al-Blat was struck by an Israeli air raid, and Baalbek’s ancient ruins, where the festival still takes place, were granted special protection by UNESCO due to the ongoing conflict.

Fairouz, along with her composer husband Assi Rahbani and his brother Mansour, reshaped Arabic music by blending Western, Russian, and Latin influences with traditional Eastern rhythms and orchestral arrangements.

Fairouz collaborated closely with her son Ziad, a trailblazing figure in Lebanese music known for incorporating jazz into Arabic compositions.

Her widespread acclaim was fueled by her support for the Palestinian cause, including the song “Sanarjaou Yawman” (We Shall Return One Day), which mourned the Palestinians displaced after the creation of Israel in 1948.

Fairouz also gained national admiration for remaining in Lebanon throughout its brutal civil war from 1975 to 1990, and for her steadfast neutrality, refusing to align with any one faction.

In 2020, French President Macron presented Fairouz with the Legion of Honour during a rare public appearance. This event, amid Lebanon’s recovery from a devastating explosion at Beirut’s port, was a rare moment of joy for the country.