The Lebanese music icon Fairuz is widely considered as one of the leading vocalists and most renowned singers in the Arab world. Just like many others in Lebanon, Khaled and Rana are two of her adoring fans. In this episode, the two friends discuss different aspects of Fairuz’s life and career, including her musical collaborations, theater plays, and international fame.
Lebanese Arabic Transcript and English Contextual Translation
خالد: مسا الخير رنا. متل العادة كل ما شوفك، بتكوني عم تقري! وحسب ما مبين بصورة الغلاف، كتاب الليلة عن فيروز، مغنيتي اللبنانية المفضلة وإحدى أهم المطربات بالعالم العربي. شو عنوان هالكتاب؟
Khaled: Good evening Rana. As usual, every time I see you, you’re reading! And from the looks of the cover photo, today’s book is about Fairuz, my favorite Lebanese singer and one of the most remarkable singers in the Arab World. What’s this book’s name?
رنا: ليه في أحلى من الكتب يا خالد؟ أنا كمان كتير بحب وبقدر المطربة والممثلة فيروز. عم أقرا كتاب لفواز طرابلسي عن المجتمع والمسرح، عنوانو: فيروز والرحابنة، مسرح الغريب والكنز والأعجوبة.
Rana: Is there anything better than books Khaled? I too love and respect the singer and actress Fairuz so much. I’m reading a book by Fawaz Trabulsi about society and theater, titled: “Fairuz Wal Rahabina, Masrah Al Gharib Wal Kanz Wal O’Jouba” (Fairuz and the Rahbanis, The theater Of The Stranger, The Treasure And The Miracle).
خالد: حلو… مظبوط إنو أول ما نقول فيروز، منفكر بأغانيها. بس ما لازم ننسى كمان أدوارها التمثيلية، بما إنها مثلت بـ15 مسرحية غنائية بين الستينات والسبعينات، تنوعت مواضيعها بين نقد الحاكم، تمجيد البطولة، الحب وغيرها. من أهم هالأعمال: جسر القمر، أيام فخر الدين، وهالة والملك. كلن كانوا من تأليف وتلحين الأخوين الرحباني: يعني عاصي، زوجها ومنصور، خيو. هالمسرحيات كان إلها دور كبير بتصوير المشاكل الوطنية لهيديك المرحلة، لدرجة إنها شكلت ظاهرة فنية وثقافية بلبنان والمنطقة.
Khaled: Nice… It is true that the first thing we think of when we say “Fairuz” is her songs. But we also shouldn’t forget about her acting roles, as she acted in 15 musicals in the sixties and seventies (1960s and 1970s); the topics of which varied between criticism of the ruler, glorification of heroism, love and others. Among her most important works are: Jisr al-Qamar (the moon’s bridge), Ayyam Fakhreddine (Fakhreddine Days), and Hala Wal Malak (Hala and the King). They were all written and composed by the Rahbani brothers: Assi, her husband, and Mansour, his brother. These plays had a great role in portraying the national problems of that era, to the extent that they formed an artistic and cultural phenomenon in Lebanon and the region.