Ghada Shbeir

“When we were young we listened to Fairouz at every moment. Her voice is exceptional. There’s music in her voice similar the sound of a violin or cello. We rarely find such a beautiful voice.

I’ve learnt a lot from Fairouz and from the way she sings. She has what we can call ‘a free voice’.

I don’t know how she does it. When she sings she breathes without it affecting her vocal chords. She sings in an effortless way. This isn’t easy.

It’s easy to listen to Fairouz but it’s difficult to sing like her. She has a beautiful technique. Only a singer or a musician can really understand this.

Fairouz is very important for Lebanon and the entire Arab world. She has brought worldwide recognition to Lebanon. Her presence here is very important.

During the war on Lebanon I wondered if Fairouz was still in the country or not. When I heard she was still here I knew the country was in good shape.  

It’s not enough just to have a good voice. You should also have a good subject. 

There are a lot of beautiful voices and many composers. I could get songs from a composer, promote my own music and become famous. But there’s no pleasure in that.

I feel when I sing or write something in Syriac I have a message to deliver. 

I’m nothing in comparison to the work I do. Songs are great.

I hope many singers will work on this project. So many people will hear it and so the Syriac language can be preserved.

Arab songs go well with these melodies. Many stars of the Arab world, like Abdul Wahab and Um Kulthum, reached this level of singing because they’d studied Quranic chanting.

They studied the music of the sixth century in order to become great singers. 

Wadhi al-Safi and Fairouz studied church music extensively until they reached an excellence in their performance.

They are the crown of Lebanon. They are the reason behind Lebanon’s high ranking in the world for art and culture. 

Lebanon is a great country. I feel lost if I stay away for more than a week.

I hope Lebanon will always live in peace and security. I want to see good art in Lebanon all the time. It’s art and culture that makes a country well-known, not politics.

Politicians pass away and no one remembers them. They may get a mention in history books. Art and culture are more important. Our great poets are more important.”

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