ALGERIA: Scores of fans gathered for the funeral of singer Warda al Jazairia on Saturday (May 19), who died in a Cairo hospital after suffering a heart attack

Record ID: 205220

  • Title: ALGERIA: Scores of fans gathered for the funeral of singer Warda al Jazairia on Saturday (May 19), who died in a Cairo hospital after suffering a heart attack
  • Date: 21st May 2012
  • Summary: WOMEN WATCHING THE BURIAL OF WARDA CROWDS GATHERED.
  • Embargoed: 5th June 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Lebanon, Morocco, Algeria
  • City:
  • Country: Algeria
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz,Obituaries
  • Reuters ID: LVA5W1TAL98A50QLSR59APVLV9RB
  • Story Text: The body of Algeria's national treasure, Warda Al-Jjazairia was laid to rest on Saturday (May 19) amongst crowds of fans who queued for hours at the Palace of Culture in Algiers, to pay their respects to the "princess of Arabic music", who died on Thursday ( May 17) in Cairo.
    Warda died on of a heart attack at the age of 72. The singer's body arrived back in Algeria on Friday evening (May 18) from the Egyptian capital, aboard a special flight chartered by the presidency of the Republic.
    One distressed fan who attended the funeral said, "It is a horrible feeling, Warda is gone, but life for Algeria and Warda is still in our hearts, and in all Arab people (she will be in our) hearts and (in our) life and for the president, Bouteflika."
    The death of the icon has also stirred up great emotion in Algerian and foreign political and artistic circles.
    In a letter of condolence to the deceased's family, President of the Republic Abdelaziz Bouteflika paid tribute to the late famous singer for her long and rich artistic career, as she dedicated her art to "her country that "she loved so much."
    During the funeral, Warda's daughter Wida and son Riadh were surrounded by several high-ranking political figures present at the funeral including Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci, Minister of Culture Khalida Toumi, Minister of Communication Nacer Mehal, Minister of Water Resources Abdelmalek Sellal and, respectively and Secretary of State for National Community Abroad Halim Ben Attallah.
    Two advisers of King Mohamed VI of Morocco were among a foreign delegation, including the ambassador of the State of Palestine in Algeria and Arab diplomats accredited to Algiers, joined the ceremony to pay the final tribute to the icon of Arabic song.
    Many Algerian artists and writers, including writer Amin Zaoui, former Minister Azzedine Mihoubi and former Minister and Ambassador to Cairo Mustapha Cherif, attended the ceremony.
    "We're so sorry for the loss of the icon of Arab music, the last lady of authentic songs, and we are so sad and I wish for all people and for all of Warda's fans to have patience," said Algerian singer, Chabba Yamina.
    Warda was born in France in 1939 to a Lebanese mother and an Algerian father. She spent most of her adult life in Egypt and was married to Egyptian composer Baligh Hamdy. She was famous as a singer performing classical Arab pop music and she also appeared as an actress in Egyptian films.
    The Algerian singer was laid to rest at El Alia Cemetery in Algiers.
    The name Warda in Arabic means rose.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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