- Title: IRAQ: Popular Lebanese singer Miriam Faris holds concert in Baghdad
- Date: 24th March 2011
- Summary: BAGHDAD, IRAQ (MARCH 20, 2011) (REUTERS) LEBANESE SINGER MIRIAM FARIS ENTERING ROOM AT BAGHDAD'S HUNTING CLUB/ SEATED AND ADJUSTING SUNGLASSES ON HER HAIR MIRIAM FARIS SURROUNDED BY JOURNALISTS MIRIAM FARIS TALKING TO JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) LEBANESE SINGER MIRIAM FARIS SAYING: "God willing, it (the concert) will be repeated and God willing my visit will brin
- Embargoed: 8th April 2011 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Iraq, Iraq
- Country: Iraq
- Topics: International Relations,Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVA5QC1CJJZZ55OGKEJAA2WU6L2R
- Story Text: Popular Lebanese singer Miriam Faris performed on Sunday evening (March 20) at a prestigious Baghdad social club in front of a large elite audience.
The 27 year old singer sang some of her most popular songs, as well as some old Iraqi songs to the delights of the audience.
The Lebanese artist also showed off her dance moves to the audience gathered at the Iraqi capital's Hunting Club in the upscale Mansour neighbourhood.
The concert is an attempt by the club's management to bring back the old joyful pre-war atmosphere in Iraq now that security in the country's capital has improved. Many members have also started spending more time at the club, after numbers dwindled during the height of the country's conflict.
Faris said said she hopes her performance will inspire other artists to come to Iraq.
"God willing, it (the concert) will be repeated and God willing my visit will bring good things to this country and pave the way for other artists who want to come. I hope that all Arab artists won't hesitate to come here and won't fear coming here and meeting the Iraqi audience," said the Lebanese singer before her show.
Major non-Iraqi artists from other Arab countries have not performed in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion of the country, and the subsequent sectarian war and breakdown in the security situation of the country. Following a security improvement over the past two years, Faris said she felt as though she had broken a 'cultural siege' by coming to Baghdad.
"I wholeheartedly hope that I have indeed broken the cultural siege, as I was told when I arrived in Baghdad. They told me: 'Miriam, you have broken the cultural siege by coming to Baghdad.' I hope that I deserve these words, God willing, and that all artists will start coming here."
Some of those at the concert said the show reflects the improvements in Iraq's security.
"Definitely this (concert) reflects stability of the security situation in Iraq. If it had not been for the good situation, she (Miriam Faris) wouldn't have come here. She will go back (to Lebanon) and she will give a good impression that Iraq was and will continue to be home for all artists and writers. Definitely she will convey a good impression on Iraq's hospitality and audience to all the artists in Lebanon and the Arab world," said audience member Ali Al-Aziz.
Under Saddam Hussein's regime, membership of the Hunting Club was an exclusive right for Saddam's cronies and privileged employees of his government. His eldest son Uday was also a regular.
During Saddam's rule, the only condition to be granted club membership was to be a member of the ruling Baath Party.
But after the regime was toppled, the club accepted members based on their profession, income and education. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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