Official name	Sidon
Native name	صيدا Ṣaydā
Settlement type
Dot x	|dot_y =
Pushpin map	Lebanon
Pushpin label position	bottom
Pushpin mapsize	300
Pushpin map caption	Location in Lebanon
Coordinates region	LB
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name
Subdivision type1	Governorate
Subdivision name1	South Governorate
Subdivision type2	District
Subdivision name2	Sidon District
Leader title1
Established title
Established title2
Established title3
Unit pref	Imperial
Area total km2	7.86
Area land km2
Area total km2	7
Area metro km2	25
Population total	80000
Population metro	266,000
Population blank1 title	Ethnicities
Population blank2 title	Religions
Timezone	EET
Utc offset	+2
Timezone dst	+3
Elevation footnotes
Postal code type

Sidon,or Saïda, (, ; Phoenician: , Ṣydwn; ; ; , Ṣīḏōn, ) is the third-largest city in Lebanon. It is located in the South Governorate of Lebanon, on the Mediterranean coast, about 40 km (25 mi) north of Tyre and 40 km (25 mi) south of the capital Beirut. Its name means a fishery. It is a city of 200,000 inhabitants who are overwhelmingly Sunni Muslims (approximately 80%), along with small communities of Christian Greek Catholics and Maronites and Shiite Muslims.

History

found in Saida gives testimony of the Aecheminid rule and influence. Marble, 5^th century B.C.]] Sidon has been inhabited since 4000 BC and perhaps as early as Neolithic times (6000 - 4000 BC). It was one of the most important Phoenician cities, and may have been the oldest. From here, and other ports, a great Mediterranean commercial empire was founded. Homer praised the skill of its craftsmen in producing glass, purple dyes, and its women's skill at the art of embroidery. It was also from here that a colonizing party went to found the city of Tyre. Tyre also grew into a great city, and in subsequent years there was competition between the two, each claiming to be the metropolis ('Mother City') of Phoenicia. Glass manufacturing, Sidon's most important enterprise in the Phoenician era, was conducted on a vast scale, and the production of purple dye was almost as important. The small shell of the Murex trunculus was broken in order to extract the pigment that was so rare it became the mark of royalty.

In AD 1855, the sarcophagus of King Eshmun’azar II was discovered. From a Phoenician inscription on its lid, it appears that he was a "king of the Sidonians," probably in the 5th century BC, and that his mother was a priestess of ‘Ashtart, "the goddess of the Sidonians." In this inscription the gods Eshmun and Ba‘al Sidon 'Lord of Sidon' (who may or may not be the same) are mentioned as chief gods of the Sidonians. ‘Ashtart is entitled ‘Ashtart-Shem-Ba‘al '‘Ashtart the name of the Lord', a title also found in an Ugaritic text.

, built by the Crusaders in AD 1228]]

In the years before Jesus, Sidon had many conquerors: Assyrians, Babylonians, Egyptians, Greeks, and finally Romans. Herod the Great visited Sidon. Both Jesus and Saint Paul are said to have visited it too (see Biblical Sidon below). The city was eventually conquered by the Arabs and then by the Ottoman Turks.

Like other Phoenician city-states, Sidon suffered from a succession of conquerors. At the end of the Persian era in 351 BC, it was invaded by the emperor Artaxerxes III and then by Alexander the Great in 333 BC when the Hellenistic era of Sidon began. Under the successors of Alexander, it enjoyed relative freedom and organized games and competitions in which the greatest athletes of the region participated. In the Necropolis of Sidon, important finds such as the Alexander Sarcophagus, the Lycian tomb and the Sarcophagus of the Crying Women were discovered, which are now on display at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul.

When Sidon fell under Roman domination, it continued to mint its own silver coins. The Romans also built a theater and other major monuments in the city. In the reign of Elagabalus a Roman colonia was established there, and it was given the name of Colonia Aurelia Pia Sidon. During the Byzantine period, when the great earthquake of AD 551 destroyed most of the cities of Phoenicia, Beirut's School of Law took refuge in Sidon. The town continued quietly for the next century, until it was conquered by the Arabs in AD 636.

On December 4, 1110 Sidon was sacked in the First Crusade by King Baldwin of Jerusalem and King Sigurd of Norway. It then became the centre of the Lordship of Sidon, an important seigneury in the Kingdom of Jerusalem. During the Crusades it was sacked several times: it was finally destroyed by the Saracens in 1249. In 1260 it was again destroyed by the Mongols. The remains of the original walls are still visible.

After Sidon came under Ottoman Turkish rule in the seventeenth century, it regained a great deal of its earlier commercial importance. After World War I it became part of the French Mandate of Lebanon. During World War II the city, together with the rest of Lebanon, was captured by British forces fighting against the Vichy French, and following the war it became a major city of independent Lebanon.

Following the Palestinian exodus in 1948, a considerable number of Palestinian refugees arrived in Sidon, as in other Lebanese cities, and were settled at the large refugee camps of Ein el-Hilweh and Mieh Mieh. At first these consisted of enormous rows of tents, but gradually houses were constructed. The refugee camps constituted de-facto neighborhoods of Sidon, but had a separate legal and political status which made them into a kind of enclaves. At the same time, the remaining Jews of the city fled, and the Jewish cemetery fell into disrepair, threatened by coastal erosion.

Sidon today

Although Saida in 1900 was a small fishing town of 10,000 inhabitants, studies in 2000 showed a population of 65,000 in the city and around 200,000 in the metropolitan area. The little level land around the city is used for cultivation of some wheat, vegetables and fruits, especially citrus and bananas. The fishing in the city remains active with a newly opened fishery that sells fresh fish by bidding every morning. The ancient basin is transformed into a fishing port while a small quay was constructed to receive small commercial vessels.

A state-of-the-art stadium was inaugurated in 2000 for the Asian Football Confederation's Cup 2000.

The Makab

Near the southern entrace to the city lies a 'rubbish mountain' called the Makab, a 600,000 cubic meter heap that reaches the height of a four-storey building. Originally created to dispose of the remains of buildings destroyed in Israeli airstrikes during the 1982 invasion, it is now the main dump for the city. Growing out of the sea, it has become an environmental hazard, with medical waste and plastic bags polluting nearby fishing grounds.

Old City

The historical core of Saida is a Mamluk-era old city that extends between the Sea Castle and the St. Louis Castle. Located on a promontory jutting into the sea, this walled medieval city is very well-preserved and is still inhabited today. The old City resembles a vaulted maze with narrow alleyways and winding streets. Arched pathways connect the different neighborhoods of the city. On street level, numerous souvenir shops and mini-markets could be found with old- fashioned bakeries making crunchy whole-wheat bread, called "Kaak". A lot of the alleys take the name of their residents' occupations like the "Carpenters' Alley" and the "Tailors' Alley". Several mosques dating back to the Umayyad Era are still preserved and are open to the public. A number of TV series and Music Videos have been filmed inside the Old city of Saida. Being of great historical and architectural significance, the Old City went through a lot of renovations and there is still of restoring to be done.

Administrative divisions

The city of Saida is administrated by the Municipality of Saida. The municipality is constituted of a council of 21 members including the City Mayor and his Deputy. It has administrative and financial independence but remains under the control and supervision of the central government, specifically the Ministry of Interior. The municipality's jurisdiction is limited to a region of 786 hectares in area and 5 meters in elevation, while each of the city's suburbs is administrated by its own independent municipal council. Saida is the center of the Governorate of South Lebanon, and hosts the seat of the Governor of Southern Lebanon. The city is also the center of the Saida District and the Union of Saida and Zahrani Municipalities (founded in 1978 and contains 15 municipalities). Saida hosts the southern regional headquarters of a series of governmental facilities like the Central Bank of Lebanon, Electricite du Liban, Central Telecommunications Station...etc. It is also the home of the Justice Palace of South Lebanon in its new headquarters on East Boulevard (the old headquarters were an old Ottoman serial that is currently occupied by the LSF and is planned to be transformed into a cultural center by the municipality).

In the 2000 and 2005 parliamentary elections, the Saida District along with the Tyre and Bint Jbeil districts formed the first electoral district of South Lebanon. However, in the 2009 elections -and due to the reactivation of the 1960 electoral law- the city of Saida was separated from its district to form a separate electoral district.

Religion and Demographics

Sidon is a conservative city with a vast Sunni Muslim majority. Sunnis make up approximately (80%) of the local population; Shiites and Christians combined make up (20%). Saida is the seat of the Greek Melkite Catholic Archbishop of Saida and Deir El-Qamar, and has housed a significant Catholic population throughout its history. Saida also hosts the seats of the Sunni and the Shiite Muftis of South Lebanon. The 2000 parliamentary elections in Saida revealed that Saida had 44274 voters, 36163 of which are registered as Sunni Muslims. Cathedral of St. Elias in Saida]]

Historical Sites and Ruins

also see:

Sidon Sea Castle

Sidon Sea Castle is a fortress built by the Crusaders in the early 13th century. It is located near the Port of Sidon.

Sidon Soap Museum

The Sidon Soap Museum traces the history of the soap making in the region and its different manufacturing steps.

Khan el Franj

Khan el Franj, which means “Caravanserai of the French”, was built by Emir Fakhreddine in the 17th century to accommodate French merchants and goods in order to develop trade with Europe. This is a typical khan with a large rectangular courtyard and a central fountain surrounded by covered galleries.

Debbane Palace

Debbane Palace is a historical residence built in 1721 AD and is open for the public for visitors to witness the Arab-Ottoman architecture and details of that era (18th Century). It is currently in the process of being transformed into the History Museum of Sidon.

Old Souks

Between the Sea Castle and the Castle of St. Louis stretches the old town and a picturesque vaulted old market

The Castle of St. Louis or Qalaat Al Muizz

The Castle of St. Louis was built by the Crusaders in the 13th century on top of the remains of a fortress built by the Fatimid caliph Al Muizz. It is located to the south of old souks near Murex hill.

Eshmun Temple

The temple of Eshmun, the Phoenician God of healing, was built in the 7th century BC and is located in the north of Sidon near the Awali river.

Tourist Attractions and Landmarks

The Ziri

The Ziri is a tiny rocky island located off the coastline of Saida. In ancient times, it was used as a breakwater for the protection of ships and fleets. The island is a preferred destination for the locals who come here for picnics and swimming. The island is accessed by several ferry boats from the port of Saida.

'''The Shrine of our Lady of Mantara

Our Lady of Mantara, or Our Lady of Awaiting, is a Christian shrine dedicated to the veneration of the Virgin Mary. It is located on a 400 m high green hill overlooking Saida. The shrine is built on a small cave where it is the believed that the Virgin Mary stayed and prayed while Jesus went preaching in Sidon. The shrine is composed of a Marian tower -with a Bronze statue of Mary on top- and a Large Catholic Basilica, the 3rd largest church in the Middle East.

The Corniche The Corniche is a seaside promenade that extends for about along the city's coast. The Corniche is a popular destination for walkers, joggers, skaters and bikers. Push cart vendors offer an array of local snacks and drinks. The Corniche with its sleek-looking aluminum railing, pink stone tiles and fresh palm alignment offers amazing views of the Mediterranean Sea.

The Largest Lebanese Flag

On Lebanon's 66th Independence Day, Saida wintnessed the erection of the largest Lebanese flag. The flag is 12 meters long and 6 meters wide, and was erected on a 21 meter high pole. The flag was raised on the intersection of Rafik Hariri Boulevard and Riyad Solh Street, and is easily accessible from the Corniche. The flag was painted by 66 students from Saida.

The Bahaa El-Dine Mosque

Financed by Rafik Hariri and named after his father, the mosque is a 21st-century take on Istanbul's Ottoman Mosques. Located on a roundabout on the city's northern entrance, the mosque is an architectural gem that dots the city's skyline. The mosque with its authentic Arabesque designs, interior Islamic inscriptions, inner courtyards, Mecca-styled minarets and awe-inspiring 36-meter-high dome is a non-miss landmark in the city.

Shopping and Entertainment

Saida contains several shopping venues boasting local and international brands, as well as a handful of food and beverage outlets like the "Spinneys" and "BSAT" supermarkets. Traditional Coffeeshops serving Turkish coffee and the fruit-flavored Hubble Bubble occupy the seafront of the Old City while modern restaurants, especially those that serve Lebanese and Italian cuisine, are centered in the new city. From McDonald's and KFC to Starbucks, Burger King and Pizza Hut, several western chains have opened at least one branch in the city, with more opening in the near future. Traditional Oriental sweets are Saida's speciality with regionally renowned sweetshops found all over the city.

Shopping is concentrated within two areas: East Boulevard, and the city center. From the high-end designer stores of Pierre Cardin and Christian Dior to stores directed to low and middle-income consumers, clothing stores in Saida cater to all tastes and needs. Several other international clothing brands could be found in the city. These include Jack & Jones, Vero Moda, Springfield, Timberland, Zara, Mango, Pull and Bear, Mothercare, Bossini, H&M;, Benetton, and GS. Some of these stores could be found in the 2 malls in the city, Saida Mall (24,000 sq meters) and Le Mall (12,000 sq meters), aside to kids entertainment facilities, cafes and restaurants. Grand Cinemas will inaugurate its latest multiplex in a couple of months on East Boulevard.

Saida also has a large Amusement Park near its southern entrance.

Health

Saida is South Lebanon's center for medicine, treatment and therapy. According to 2006 numbers, Saida contains approximately 1000 beds distributed among 9 hospitals. There is only one public hospital in the city while the rest are all private. The city also contains over a 100 medical clinics. Some of the medical institutions in the city are the among the most prominent in Lebanon. The first Heart-Transpant Operation ever to be performed in Lebanon was in the Hammoud Hospital in Saida in 1999.

Education

Saida is home to numerous educational facilities ranging from public elementary schools to private universities. According to a 2006 study, Saida contains 29 schools that serve a total of 18,731 students: 37% are in public schools, 63% are in private schools. Saida also contains 10 universities, 5 of which are private universities.

The Beirut Arab University declared recently that its future Saida Campus will host its Faculty of Medicine.

Festivals and Celebrations

Nights of the Khan

The "Nights of the Khan" festival is a series of concerts and performances held in the Khan El-Franj in the Old City of Sidon. The festival takes place during the holy month of Ramadan. It is organized by the International Saida Festivals Committee and the Hariri Foundation. The Festival hosts a wide array of artists and performers; it features Sufi art, poetry recitals, religious song medleys, Folkloric Lebanese and Palestinian dance groups. The festival was frequently attended by the Prime Minister of Lebanon, Tourism Minister, Education Minister, Culture Minister aside to numerous social, political and religious Lebanese figures.

Wedding of the City

The "Wedding of the City" is a street carnival held in Saida in the El-Fitr Muslim Holiday. The carnival runs for three consecutive days and is organized by the International Saida Festivals Committee and the Hariri Foundation. The Carnival takes place on a 300-meter-long section of the Coastal Highway -extending between the Sidon Sea Castle and the Port- that gets closed and transformed into a Pedestrian-only zone. Last summer, the carnival attracted more than 30,000 spectators on its 3rd day. The carnival features European and Local Acrobats, giant floating balloons, exotic dancers, a light and sound show...etc.

Independence Day Celebrations

Saida played a significant role in Lebanon's quest for Independence in the early 1940s whether through its nationalist politicians or through its citizens' protests and demonstrations demanding Independence. Hence, On the 22nd of November of every year, Saida celebrates Lebanon's Independence through a series of festivities that involve: a Military Parade in the Barracks of the Lebanese Army, an honorary reception in the city's serial held by the Governor, and a tribute to Saida's independence figure Adel Osseiran. 2009's Independence day celebrations featured an extra festivity which is the erection of the largest Lebanese flag, on the city's northern entrance.

Oil and Petroleum

Saida serves as the Mediterranean terminus of the Trans-Arabian Pipeline, a long oil pipeline that pumps oil from the fields near Abqaiq in Saudi Arabia. The pipeline played an important role in the global trade of petroleum—helping with the economic development of Lebanon—as well as American and Middle Eastern political relations. At the time it was built in 1947, the project was considered ground-breaking and innovative with a maximum capacity of about . After the 1967 Six-Day War and due to constant bickering between Saudi Arabia and Syria and Lebanon over transit fees, the emergence of oil supertankers, and pipeline breakdowns, the section of the line beyond Jordan ceased operation in 1976. The city is the site of a large-scale oil facility constituting oil-storage tanks, an oil refinery, a thermal power plant and a fuel port. During the Lebanese civil war and the Israeli invasions, the site was bombarded several times either by Israeli war-planes or by Palestinian militia groups which lead eventually to the closure of the site. The oil tank and the refinery are in severe conditions and are awaiting a massive rehabilitation plan. The only facilities that still work on the site are the thermal power plant and the fuel port, which the state began to use to import oil for the plant after the pipeline ceased work in the 70's.

Politics

The Sectarian division in Saida is brutally evident. Although the locals have found some sort of understanding to settle together and coexist, the division managed to rise to the surface on several occasions. Saida city is largely occupied by Sunni Muslims, while Christians dwell in the densely populated suburbs, forming an urban belt that encircles the city. Shiite Muslims live in a large hilly terrian that extends south of the city.

Lebanese Civil War

This sectarian and demographic division rose to the surface during the Lebanese Civil War when armed clashes erupted between the pro-Palestinian Sunni Muslims and the anti-Palestinian Christians. The clashes ended with the surrender of the Christian front, and the Christians were forced to move to east Beirut. After the war ended in 1990, the Christians have gradually returned to their hometowns.

2008 conflict in Lebanon

After the Hariri assassination in 2005, Lebanon was divided between two large coalitions: 14 March Coalition (anti-Syrian) & 8 March Coalition (pro-Syrian). Saida, being the hometown of Rafik Hariri, supported the anti-Syrian bloc while the rest of the largely Shiite Zahrani region lined with Hezbollah. This sharp division led to severe clashes on 7 May 2008 in Beirut between the Sunnis and the Shiites, with minor altercations extending to Saida.

2009 Parliamentary Elections

In the 2009 parliamentary elections, Saida city was declared a separate electoral district in accordance with the 1960 electoral law. 2 Sunni Muslim seats were designated for the representation of the city in the Parliament. The battle was between 2 lists: the first included former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and Minister Bahia Hariri, the second list contained only one candidate Osama Saad, son of a prominent political family and Hariri's rival. After a tough battle between the 2 lists, the Pro-Hariri duo swept the city with 24,000 votes.

The Biblical Sidon

and St. Peter inside the Old City of Saida]] The Bible describes Sidon in several passages:

It received its name from the "first-born" of Canaan, the grandson of Noah (Genesis 10:15, 19).

The Tribe of Zebulun has a frontier on Sidon. (Gen. 49:13)

It was the first home of the Phoenicians on the coast of Canaan, and from its extensive commercial relations became a "great" city. (Joshua 11:8; 19:28).

It was the mother city of Tyre. It lay within the lot of the tribe of Asher, but was never subdued (Judges 1:31).

The Sidonians long oppressed Israel (Judges 10:12).

From the time of David its glory began to wane, and Tyre, its "virgin daughter" (Isaiah 23:12), rose to its place of pre-eminence.

Solomon entered into a matrimonial alliance with the Sidonians, and thus their form of idolatrous worship found a place in the land of Israel (1 Kings 11:1, 33).

Jezebel was a Sidonian princess (1 Kings 16:31).

It was famous for its manufactures and arts, as well as for its commerce (1 Kings 5:6; 1 Chronicles 22:4; Ezekiel 27:8).

It is frequently referred to by the prophets (Isaiah 23:2, 4, 12; Jeremiah 25:22; 27:3; 47:4; Ezekiel 27:8; 28:21, 22; 32:30; Joel 3:4).

Elijah sojourned in Sidon, performing miracles (1 Kings 17:9-24; ). Jesus visited the "coasts" of Tyre and Sidon (; ) and from this region many came forth to hear him preaching (Mark 3:8; Luke 6:17), leading to the stark contrast in to Korazin and Bethsaida.

From Sidon, at which the ship put in after leaving Caesarea, Paul finally sailed for Rome (Acts 27:3, 4).

Sanchuniathon

The account ascribed to the Phoenician historian Sanchuniathon makes Sidon a daughter of Pontus, son of Nereus. She is said there to have first invented musical song from the sweetness of her voice.

International relations

Twin towns — sister cities

Sidon is twinned with: Constanţa in Romania Sofia in Bulgaria Sochi in Russia

Notable people

Dorotheus (1st century BC) Greek astrologer.

Zeno of Sidon, an Epicurean philosopher of the 1st century BC, who was born in the city of Sidon in Phoenicia.

The Cananite woman of Sidon a lady from Lebanon, and a persuasive Phoenician, (; ) who met Jesus and asked him to heal her daughter.

Fouad Siniora, former Prime Minister of Lebanon.

Adel Osseiran, co-founder of modern Lebanon.

Rafic Hariri, former Prime Minister and late leader of the Future Movement.

Sheikh Mohamad Osseiran, Jaafari Mufti of Sidon.

Riad Solh, former Prime Minister of Lebanon who also participated in Lebanon's independence from the French.

Takkie El Dine Solh, former Prime Minister, died in Paris.

Sami Solh, former Prime Minister of Lebanon.

Rashid Solh, former Prime Minister of Lebanon.

Raymond Audi, former Minister of Refugees, Siniora former government of Lebanon.

Bechara Nammour, International Businessman and Entrepreneur.

Bahia Hariri, former Minister of Education in the Siniora government of Lebanon. Bahia Hariri is the only sister of the late Prime Minister Rafic Hariri. Presently, Bahia Hariri is a member of the Lebanese Parliament as she was re-elected in June 2009.

Saad Hariri, Prime Minister of Lebanon.

Maarouf Saad, former deputy representing Saida in the national parliament and founder of the Popular Nasserite Party. He was assassinated in 1976 in an event that pushed the nation nearer into civil war.

Ali Yasin, International Businessman and Entrepreneur.

Moustapha Saad, son of Maarouf Saad and former deputy representing Saida in the national parliament. Moustapha Saad was a target of an attempted assassination in 1986 in which his daughter Natasha was killed and he lost his eye sight. His wife was also seriously injured in the explosion that ripped through their home in Saida. He was a political figure respected by both Christians and Muslims of Saida and its surroundings.

Ousama Saad, son of Maarouf Saad and current deputy representing Saida in the national parliament.

References

Additional notes taken from Collier's Encyclopedia (1967 edition)

External links

Sidonianews (Saida News Portal)

Lebanon, the Cedars' Land: Sidon

Destination Lebanon: Sidon

Fondation Audi (includes a virtual tour of The Soap Museum and other heritage sites in the Old City)

Sam Houston State University: Nicholas C. J. Pappas: The Inscription on the Sarcophagus of the Phoenician King Eshmunazar

Notes on Sidon

Sidon excavations

watch "Isti'mariyah - windward between Naples and Baghdad"

Category:Populated places in the South Governorate Category:Sidon District Category:Populated coastal places in Lebanon Category:Phoenician cities Category:Phoenician sites in Lebanon Category:Hebrew Bible cities Category:Torah cities Category:Hellenistic colonies Category:Ancient cities Category:Roman colonies Category:Mediterranean port cities and towns in Lebanon Category:Populated places established in the 4th millennium BC

Name	Selena
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Selena Quintanilla
Alias	Selena
Born	April 16, 1971
Died	March 31, 1995Corpus Christi, Texas, United States
Origin	Lake Jackson, Texas, United States
Husband	Chris Perez 1992–1995
Instrument	Vocals
Genre	Tejano, Mexican cumbia, Ranchera, Latin pop, Spanish pop, R&B;, Pop
Occupation	Singer-songwriter, record producer, actress, dancer, model, designer
Years active	1982–1995
Label	Freddie Records, Cara Records, GP Productions, EMI Latin, Q-Productions, SBK Records
Associated acts	Selena y Los Dinos, Abraham Quintanilla III, Chris Pérez
Url	www.q-productions.com

Selena Quintanilla-Pérez (April 16, 1971 – March 31, 1995), known simply as Selena, was a Mexican American singer-songwriter. She was named the "top Latin artist of the '90s" and "Best selling Latin artist of the decade" by Billboard, for her fourteen top-ten singles in the Top Latin Songs chart, including seven number-one hits. The singer also had the most successful singles of 1994 and 1995, "Amor Prohibido" and "No Me Queda Más". She was called "The Queen of Tejano music" and the Mexican equivalent of Madonna. Selena released her first album, Selena y Los Dinos, at the age of twelve. She won Female Vocalist of the Year at the 1987 Tejano Music Awards and landed a recording contract with EMI a few years later. Her fame grew throughout the early 1990s, especially in Spanish-speaking countries.

Selena was murdered at the age of 23 by Yolanda Saldívar, the president of her fan club. On April 12, 1995, two weeks after her death, George W. Bush, governor of Texas at the time, declared her birthday "Selena Day" in Texas. Warner Bros. produced Selena, a film based on her life starring Jennifer Lopez, in 1997. Selena's life was also the basis of the musical Selena Forever starring Veronica Vazquez as Selena. In June 2006, Selena was commemorated with a museum and a bronze life-sized statue (Mirador de la Flor in Corpus Christi, Texas), which are visited by hundreds of fans each week. She has sold over 21 million albums worldwide.

Early life

Selena was born in Freeport Community Hospital in Lake Jackson, Texas, as the youngest child of a Mexican father, Abraham Quintanilla Jr. and a half-Cherokee Indian mother, Marcella Ofelia Samora, and was raised as a Jehovah's Witness. When Selena was born her parents didn't have a name for a girl and being told that they were having a boy the Quintanillas were going for the name "Marc Antony". Their efforts at spreading their names and talents paid off in 1985 when the fourteen-year-old Selena recorded her first album for a local record company. The album was not sold in stores and her father bought all of the original copies. It was re-released in 1995 under the title Mis Primeras Grabaciones.

Selena did well in school, but as she grew more popular as a musical performer, the travel demands of her performance schedule began to interfere with her education. Her father pulled her out of school altogether when she was in eighth grade. Selena released her third album, Alpha, in 1986.

Success

At the 1987 Tejano Music Awards, Selena won Best Female Vocalist (and dominated the award for the next seven years). In 1988, she released two albums, Preciosa and Dulce Amor. In 1989, José Behar, the former head of Sony Music Latin, signed Selena with Capitol/EMI. He later said that he signed Selena because he thought he had discovered the next Gloria Estefan. On April 2, 1992, Selena and Pérez were married in Nueces County, Texas. Hispanic Business magazine reported that the singer earned over five million dollars from these boutiques. Selena also made appearances alongside Erik Estrada in a Latin soap opera titled Dos Mujeres, Un Camino.

Selena and her band continued to receive accolades; Billboard's Premio Lo Nuestro awarded them six prestigious awards including Best Latin Artist and Song of the Year for "Como La Flor". Coca-Cola released a commemorative bottle in her honor to celebrate their five-year relationship. Meanwhile, her duet with the Barrio Boyzz, "Donde Quiera Que Estés", reached number one in the Billboard Latin Charts. This prompted Selena to tour in New York City, Argentina, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Central America. She also did a duet with Salvadoran singer Álvaro Torres, "Buenos Amigos".

By fall of 1994, Amor Prohibido was a commercial success in Mexico and made four number one Latin hits, replacing Gloria Estefan's Mi Tierra on the chart's number one spot. It sold over 400,000 copies by late 1994 in the U.S. and another 50,000 copies in Mexico, reaching gold status. Plans of the album began in 1993, but recording of the album didn't start until March 1995.

In 1995, Selena made a cameo appearance in the romantic comedy Don Juan DeMarco, which starred Marlon Brando, Johnny Depp and Faye Dunaway; she appeared as a background mariachi singer during the first scene. Selena scheduled her English album for release in the summer of 1995. on the morning of March 31, 1995, to retrieve paperwork for tax purposes. At the hotel, Selena demanded the missing financial papers. Saldívar delayed the handover by claiming she had been raped in Mexico. Saldívar returned to the motel where Selena again demanded the missing financial papers. Before collapsing to the floor, Selena named Saldívar as her assailant and gave the room number where she had been shot. After an ambulance and the police arrived on the scene, Selena was transported to a local hospital. She died there from loss of blood at 1:05 p.m., two weeks before her 24th birthday. Saldivar then went inside her red pickup truck, where she held police at bay while holding a gun to her left temple. She surrendered peacefully to the police after 10 hours. It was front page news on The New York Times for two days after her death. Numerous vigils and memorials were held in her honor, and radio stations in Texas played her music non-stop. People magazine published a commemorative issue in honor of Selena's memory and musical career, titled Selena 1971–1995, Her Life in Pictures. A few days later, Howard Stern mocked Selena's murder and burial, poked fun at her mourners, and criticized her music. Stern said, "This music does absolutely nothing for me. Alvin and the Chipmunks have more soul... Spanish people have the worst taste in music. They have no depth." Stern's comments outraged and infuriated the Hispanic community across Texas. After a disorderly conduct arrest warrant was issued in his name, Stern later made an on-air apology, in Spanish, for his comments. Two weeks after her death, on April 12, George W. Bush, then Governor of Texas, declared Selena's birthday April 16 as "Selena Day" in Texas. and the second highest debut after Michael Jackson's . On its release date, the album sold over 175,000 copies, a record for a female pop singer, and it sold two million copies in its first year. Dreaming of You sold more than 330,000 copies in its first week. The album also was number 75 in the List of BMG Music Club's top selling albums in the United States. Songs such as "I Could Fall in Love" and "Dreaming of You" were played widely by mainstream English-language radio, with the latter reaching number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100. Meanwhile, "I Could Fall in Love", while ineligible for the Hot 100 at the time, reached number 8 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart and the top 10 on the Adult Contemporary Chart. "Dreaming of You" was certified 3x Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. In October 1995, a Houston jury convicted Saldívar of first degree murder and sentenced her to life in prison, with the possibility of parole in thirty years. The gun used to kill Selena was later destroyed and the pieces thrown into Corpus Christi Bay.

Legacy

is a tourist attraction in Corpus Christi, Texas that was unveiled in 1997 to honor Selena.]]

Jennifer Lopez played Selena in a film about her life. Directed by Gregory Nava, the biopic opened with mostly positive reviews. Over 24,000 people auditioned for the leading role in the movie. Selena's fans supported the movie, and Lopez's acting in the film helped elevate her career. Although Lopez succeeded as a pop star a few years later, Selena's voice was dubbed in for all the songs in the movie. For her role, Lopez was nominated for a Golden Globe award for Best Actress in a Musical. Selena was among two other Latin artists who had the best sales of records for the year 1999.

Reliant Stadium in Houston hosted a tribute concert, Selena ¡VIVE!, on April 7, 2005. Held a week after the 10th anniversary of her death, over 65,000 fans attended the concert, which featured high-profile artists including Gloria Estefan, Pepe Aguilar, Thalía, Paulina Rubio, Ana Bárbara, Alejandra Guzmán, Ana Gabriel, and Fey. The artists performed renditions of Selena's music, as did her brother, A.B. Quintanilla, who performed with his band Kumbia Kings backed with footage of Selena singing "Baila Esta Cumbia". Broadcast live on the Univision network, Selena ¡VIVE! is the highest-rated and most-viewed Spanish-language show in American television history. The show, which lasted over three hours, scored a 35.9 Nielsen household rating. The American Bank Center in Corpus Christi named their 2,526-seat concert auditorium, Selena Auditorium, in her memory.

Another Texas-born singer-actress, Selena Gomez, is named after the singer and is mentioned by Gomez as one of her musical influences.

Discography

Mis Primeras Grabaciones (1984)

The New Girl in Town (1985)

Alpha (1986)

Muñequito de Trapo (1987)

And the Winner Is... (1987)

Preciosa (1988)

Dulce Amor (1988)

Selena (1989)

Ven Conmigo (1990)

Entre a Mi Mundo (1992)

Selena Live! (1993)

Amor Prohibido (1994)

Dreaming of You (1995)

Filmography

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;" ; |- style="text-align:center;" ! colspan=4 style="background:#b0c4de;" | Film |- style="text-align:center;" ! style="background:#ccc;" | Year ! style="background:#ccc;" | Film ! style="background:#ccc;" | Role ! style="background:#ccc;" | Notes |- |1995 | Don Juan DeMarco | Ranchera singer | Minor role |- style="text-align:center;" ! colspan=4 style="background:#b0c4de;" | Television |- style="text-align:center;" ! style="background:#ccc;" | Year ! style="background:#ccc;" | Title ! style="background:#ccc;" | Role ! style="background:#ccc;" | Notes |- | 1985–1995 | Johnny Canales Show | herself | TV appearances |- | 1987–1995 | Tejano Music Awards | herself | TV appearances |- | 1993 | Dos mujeres, un camino | herself |- | 1997 | The Making of Selena the Movie | | |- | 1998 | Por Siempre Selena | | |- | 1998 | E! True Hollywood Story: The Murder Trial of Selena | | |- | 1999 | VH1 All Access: Selena | | |- | 2000 | Para Siempre Selena | | |- | 2001–present | Por Siempre... Selena | |- | 2005 | Selena ¡VIVE! | herself | honoree |- | 2008 | Biography | TV series (2 episodes) | |- | 2009 | Top Trece | TV series (1 episode) | |- | 2009 | Historia de una Leyenda | TV series (1 episode) | |- | 2010 | Famous Crime Scene: Selena | TV series (1 episode) | featured |}

Tours

Selena Live! Tour (1993–94)

Amor Prohibido Tour (1994–95)

See also

List of honorific titles in popular music

References

Citations

External links

Official website

Category:1971 births Category:1995 deaths Category:1980s singers Category:1990s singers Category:A.B. Quintanilla Category:Actors from Texas Category:American child singers Category:American dance musicians Category:American fashion designers Category:American female models Category:American female singers Category:American film actors Category:American folk singers Category:American mezzo-sopranos Category:American murder victims Category:American music video directors Category:American musicians of Mexican descent Category:American people of Mexican descent Category:American people of Native American descent Category:American pop singers Category:American record producers Category:American rhythm and blues singers Category:American television actors Category:Capitol Records artists Category:Cumbia musicians Category:Deaths by firearm in Texas Category:English-language singers Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Hispanic and Latino American actors Category:Hispanic and Latino American models Category:Latin dance singers Category:Latin pop singers Category:Los Dinos members Category:Mariachi musicians Category:Murdered entertainers Category:People from Houston, Texas Category:People murdered in Texas Category:Performers of religious music Category:Polka musicians Category:Pop folk singers Category:Ranchera singers Category:Rock en Español musicians Category:Spanish-language singers Category:Tropical musicians

Rabbi Karol Efraim Sidon (born August 9, 1942) is a Czech Rabbi, writer and playwright. He is the current chief rabbi of the city of Prague and of the Czech Republic.

Life

Born and raised in Prague he began studying at the Academy of Musical Art in Prague in 1960 where he began writing film scripts, and radio plays for Czech public radio - Český rozhlas. Up to 1968 he worked as a producer for Czech puppeteer Jiří Trnka. In the same year, Sidon's first book, "Sen o mém otci" ("Dream about my father") was published, in which the author deals with his being brought up without his Jewish father Alexander Sidon, who perished in the Terezín ghetto (his wife was a Christian). In 1977 he was a signatory to Charter 77. He received the Jiří Kolář prize in 1978.

In 1983 he emigrated to West Germany and converted to Judaism after studying Jewish studies at the Heidelberg university. He became ordained as a Rabbi after studying for a time in Israel. He returned to the Czech republic in 1992, where he became chief rabbi of Prague. He is married to Marcela Třebická, and is the father of the actress Magdalena Sidonová.

Tensions

In Prague in 2005 tensions developed between Chabad members and its rabbi Rabbi Manis Barash and Efraim Sidon. The Old New Synagogue in Prague's ancient Jewish Quarter became the scene of an emotional dispute between members of the Chabad movement and locals backing Karol Sidon, chief rabbi of the Czech Republic. The conflict led to violent brawls and hospitalisations on a number of occasions. Sidon was eventually returned to his post. In 2004 Tomáš Jelínek, the director of the community council, fired Sidon as Rabbi giving the post to young Chabad rabbi Manis Barash. A grassroots campaign from community members led to the deposition of Jelinek as the community director. Jelinek then asked a religious arbiter in Israel to rule on the case who ruled in favor of Rabbi Barash. Sidon's supporters argued that the case was void since Jelinek had lied to the Judge telling him that the community board had been behind his actions in firing Sidon and appointing Barash. However on 21 November 2005 he was reelected as the chief Rabbi of the city following the protracted dispute with Chabad. Deputy chairman of the community Jakub Roth told the press: " this is part of the local Chabad’s striving to take over the community’s religious life. We have seen an ugly foray of Chabad in their attempt to take over the Old-New synagogue."

Works

Sen o mém otci, 1968, (Dream about My Father)

Sen o mně, 1970, (Dream about Myself)

Boží osten, 1975, (The Sting of God)

Brány mrazu, 1977, (Gates of Frost)

Dvě povídky o utopencích, 1988, (Two Stories about the Drowned People)

Gospel podle Josefa Flavia, 1974, (The Gospel According to Josephus Flavius)

Plays

Zákon, 1968, (The Law)

Labyrint (cirkus podle Komenského), 1972, (Labyrinth, Circus According to Comenius)

Shapira, 1972, (Shapira)

Zpívej mi na cestu, (Sing Me for the Trip)

Maringotka Zuzany Kočové, (Caravan of Zuzana Kočová)

Children's books

''Pohádky ze čtyř šuplíčků, 1979, (Fairy Tales from Four Drawers) (appeared under the name of his wife Marcela Třebická).

Filmography

Bohemia Docta aneb Labyrint světa a lusthauz srdce (2000) (Bohemia Docta or Labyrinth of the World and Lusthauz of the Hearh)

Adam a Gabriel (1973) (Adam and Gabriel)

Dovidenia v pekle priatelia (1970) (Goodbye in Hell Friends)

Ptáčkové, sirotci a blázni (1969) (Birds, Orphants and Fools)

Zběhové a poutníci (1968) (Deserters and Pilgrims)

Citations

External links

German National Library (German)">Literature by Karol Sidon in the catalog of the German National Library (German)

Category:Converts to Judaism Category:1942 births Category:Living people Category:Czech Jews Category:Czech writers Category:University of Heidelberg alumni Category:Czech Orthodox rabbis Category:Alumni of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague Category:Charter 77 signatories