Celebrating birthday of the one of a kind Fairouz

CAIRO - 21 November 2020: Listening to the veteran Lebanese singer Fairouz along with a warm cup of coffee or tea has been a morning ritual common among many Arabs across the region. 

The renowned singer has managed to accompany everyone throughout all stages of their lives, singing about grief, happiness, love, and patriotism among others. 

On the occasion of her birthday Egypt Today points out why the world is in love with Fairouz who has been active since 1950.

Fairouz was born on Nov. 21, 1935 in Lebanon.

Her real name is Nihad Rizk Wadea Haddad. 

Fairouz started her singing career when she was 6 years old.

She joined the Lebanese broadcasting Network choir where she met Palestinian composer Halim al-Roumy. Roumy later named her Fairouz.

The veteran singer married Asi Rahbani, with whom she had four children, Ziad, Laya, Rima and Hali.

Fairouz performed numerous songs with the Rahbani brothers throughout the years. 

Fairouz’s last concert in Egypt was in 1989 at the Giza pyramids, and it was attended by a large audience of Egyptian and Arab fans, whereas her last concert in Beirut was in 2010.

French President Emmanuel Macron visited Monday, August 31 iconic Lebanese singer Fairouz at her home in the suburb of Rabieh, about 14 kilometers north of Beirut, to grant her the Legion of Honour, France's highest order of military and civil merit established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte.

This important visit carries many messages, the most important of which is that Fairouz has become a symbol for her country's pain and glory.

Another message is that Macron views Fairouz particularly and the Lebanese art in general as the true spirit of Lebanon that we all love and respect. 

"I told her everything that she represented to me, a Lebanon that we love and that many are expectant of, a nostalgia that many have," Macron said.

On Tuesday, September 1, Fairouz shared with her fans photos of the visit.

The photos revealed the moment Fairouz received the medal. 

Fairouz looked well in the photos, and she followed all the safety precautions against coronavirus by wearing a visor.  

The photos also gave us a glimpse into the colourful and eclectic home of the legendary singer, showing a painting called Feiruz above her sofa from 1980 by Croatian-Lebanese artist Cici Tommaseo Sursock. 

That work is surrounded by religious paintings.

Fairouz has not performed publicly for a decade; she seldom gives interviews and is rarely seen in public.