"Something Is Happening": Fairuz and Ziad Al Rahbani

Fawaz Traboulsi, Hanan Kassab Hassan, Zuhair Samhoun

In celebration of its fourth anniversary, the Anis Makdisi Program in Literature hosted a three-day forum on the rich and diverse music of famous Lebanese singer Fairuz and her son, composer Ziad Rahbani. Held April 27-30 in West Hall's Bathish Auditorium, the forum brought together renowned Lebanese cultural critics and scholars, who introduced the audience to the history of Fairuz and Ziad, who have been collaborating for more than three decades. The forum was titled "Something is Happening," which is the name of one of Fairuz's most touching songs.

Historian and political scientist Fawwaz Traboulsi discussed the social and literary aspects of Fairuz's songs, after which a video clip of her earlier vocals was shown. Hanan Kassab Hassan, a literary critic, talked about her memories of Fairuz, saying, "I cannot discuss her without being nostalgic. Whenever I hear her music, I am reminded of the city and the countryside, Damascus and Beirut." Day one ended with an open discussion of the Fairuz-Ziad collaboration.

The last two days of the forum were dedicated to the modernity in the songs and music of Fairuz and Ziad. Kent Habib discussed the fusion of jazz and oriental music that resulted from Ziad's Western influence and Eastern upbringing. "Ziad was capable of mixing the two cultures without losing his originality. He gave a personal touch to this fusion," Habib said.

Ziad's sound engineer, Zuhair Samhoun, touched upon the personal aspects of the work of Ziad and Fairuz. He discussed his work alongside that of the duo, focusing on their interactions in the studio. "At first, Fairuz was uncomfortable working with Ziad, but with time, the two were able to work harmoniously together," Samhoun revealed.

Other speakers included Father Badih el Hajj, who touched on the liturgical and folkloric aspects of the Fairuz and Ziad music; Nidal Abi Samra, who discussed the works of Assi Rahbani, Ziad's father; and Roni Barak, who gave a short lecture on his experience with Fairuz and Ziad. On Sunday, the last day, Culture Minister Tarek Mitri headed a roundtable discussion with several art critics to sum up the event.