LEBANON: Arabic music diva Majida al-Roumi returns to the stage after many years' absense to raise money for the American University of Beirut

Record ID: 431795

  • Title: LEBANON: Arabic music diva Majida al-Roumi returns to the stage after many years' absense to raise money for the American University of Beirut
  • Date: 30th November 2005
  • Summary: MAJIDA AL-ROUMI ARRIVES ON STAGE AND SALUTES HER AUDIENCE VARIOUS OF MAJIDA AL-ROUMI AND HER ORCHESTRA PERFORMING AUDIENCE STANDING IN APPRECIATION AND SINGING ALONG AS AL-ROUMI SINGS A SONG FOR BEIRUT AUDIENCE APPLAUDING
  • Embargoed: 15th December 2005 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Lebanon
  • Country: Lebanon
  • Reuters ID: LVA9QTRLCBMB9Q6BY9JQQJBGD5FA
  • Story Text: After an absence of many years, Lebanese diva Majida al-Roumi re-emerged on the music scene in a concert held to raise funds for the American University of Beirut.
    Thousands of fans arrived at the Forum De Beirut concert hall to listen to one of the most prominent Arab singers, who, for reasons she declined to discuss, has not launched a new album or held public concerts since 1998.
    The audience was in for a treat. Al-Roumi performed five singles from a new album soon to be released.
    The concert proved she is a performer who remains in the hearts and minds of her fans, who demonstrated that they still love her music and style.
    Backstage, Majida expressed confidence that her new songs, which she described as music of "true value," would find favour with an audience increasingly interested in pop music and light entertainment.
    "I have my own style, and it seems that, even though people like listening to light and entertaining things, they still have a passion for listening to things that are of true value. Today I will launch five new songs from my new album, and I hope that the reaction to these songs will show us people's position on true, dedicated art. My feeling is that we are at a stage where all forms of art will find a place, especially dedicated art," said al-Roumi seconds before she took to the stage to deliver her long awaited performance.
    Al-Roumi is recognised as one of the icons of Arabic music, and is the first Arab singer to receive a Platinum Record Award.
    She began the concert with her first hit, recorded in 1975 at the beginning of the Lebanese civil war. The song named "Amm Behlamk Ya Helm Ya Lebnan" (I Am Dreaming of the Dream, About Lebanon) was warmly received by the audience.
    During the concert, al-Roumi sang for her country, for love and for religion, and her new songs drew enthusiastic applause from her delighted audience.
    Proceeds from the concert will go to the American University of Beirut fund of scholarships. The AUB committee was one of the main organisers of the concert.
    The concert was attended by some 5,000 fans, in addition to prominent Lebanese and foreign officials and ambassadors. Journalists, singers and actors were also present.
    Majida did not forget to offer her fans their favourite revolutionary song, and concluded the concert with a rendition of a song entitled "Beirut." The audience in its entirety stood for the song, and many joined al-Roumi in the singing.
    "She's Lebanese, patriotic, (she personifies) freedom, life and emotions -- everything about Majida is beautiful," said al-Roumi fan Gisele Karam after the concert.
    Some who enjoyed the two-hour performance found it difficult to find words with which to express their feelings towards al-Roumi and her music.
    "I can't express myself, we cannot express the overwhelming feelings, and Majida's voice can resurrect the dead," said Antoine Saad.
    Beirut Member of Parliament Gibran Tueini even considered al-Roumi's songs a determining factor in Lebanese history.
    "Majida is taking the Arabic song to a new level, she's taking it to a new level through Lebanese music. As a Lebanese and an Arab I am proud of Majida, I am very proud of Majida. She gives us power and lifts our spirits, and without the Majida we wouldn't have been able to free our country," said Tueini.
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