| Name | Ehden |
|---|---|
| Native name | اٍهدن |
| Native name lang | ara |
| Settlement type | City |
| Pushpin map | Lebanon |
| Pushpin map alt | Map showing the location of Ehden within Lebanon |
| Pushpin map caption | Location within Lebanon |
| Coordinates type | region:LB_type:city |
| Coordinates display | inline,title |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | |
| Subdivision type1 | Governorate |
| Subdivision name1 | North Governorate |
| Subdivision type2 | District |
| Subdivision name2 | Zgharta District |
| Established title | |
| Elevation m | 1500 |
| Population density km2 | auto |
| Timezone1 | EET |
| Utc offset1 | +2 |
| Timezone1 dst | EEST |
| Utc offset1 dst | +3 |
| Postal code type | Postal code |
| Area code type | Dialing code |
| Area code | +961 |
The mountain town is located 1500 m above sea level, and is 25 km from Zgharta, 110 km from Beirut (the country’s capital) and 30 km from Tripoli, Lebanon.
Ehden is a famous summer resort and touristic center often called "the Bride of Summer Resorts in the North of Lebanon."
Gastronomy is one of the most prominent tourist attractions in Ehden, especially in summer. Kebbeh Meshwyeh (krass), a traditional cuisine, is particularly notable in this town.
The name of Ehden comes from Adon, Adonis meaning power, stability and tranquillity. It is corroborated by the Arabic root Hdn meaning steadiness, calm and fertility. “Adon” means also “the base and the mountaintop” translating into “top of the mountain and its base”Patriarch Estephan El Douaihy along with Father Martens the Jesuit lean toward the conclusion that Ehden’s name is derived from Eden where Adam and Eve lived following their exit from paradise. Douaihy left a booklet in Latin regarding his point of view. It is kept in the Vatican library. Orientalists Hawiet, Rose Goaler and Orkwart supported Douaihy and Martens’ viewpoint. It was contested by Ernest Renan in his book mission en Phenicie and by father Henri Lammens.
They obtained their vision from its widely spread views overlooking some wonderful scenery. These attributions have made them people of generosity who contributed immensely in the fields of thought, literature, patriotism and religion. Ehden is the original homeland, and first home for Zghartians who moved in the 16th century to Zgharta on the Lebanese coast. They built Zgharta through hard work and unity and transformed it into their winter home away from the snow of their mountain. Four centuries later, Zgharta had been established as their prime residential home. And thus after thousands of years when Ehden was the sole home of Zghartians, it became basically a summer resort. Nevertheless, the importance of the history of Ehden remains, as all Zghartians are proud of its humanitarian, economic and historical role.
- 850 years B.C. the Aramean king Hadadezer came to Ehden and rebuilt it, hoisting a statue of its god known then as “Baal Loubnan” or “ The God of Snow”
- 700 years B.C. Sennacherib, the Assyrian king through his leading assistant Rabshakeh, occupied Ehden and destroyed it by setting it alight and overturning its statue.
- 300 years B.C. Seleucus I, leader of an army that was a part of Alexander the Great's Macedonian army rebuilt Ehden. Seleucus I also built a large pagan temple on the eastern side where he erected a statue of the Sun-god Helios.
- 64 BCE Pompey blockaded Ehden. He conquered and destroyed it. It was not until the rise of Christianity that the Syrians rebuilt it.
At the end of the sixth century Ehdenians converted to Christianity. Maronite priests of Saint Maroun and St. Simeon Stylites helped convert them into Maronites. They built five churches all at once on top of the ruined idolatrous temple, using its stones for building Mar Mama, Mar Boutros, Mar Youhana, Mar Ghaleb and Mar Istfan. In addition, they raised huge stone Crosses on top of the mountain.
A Greek inscription was found on the exterior of Mar Mama church with the equivalent date 282 AD and also Greek numerals near the church. Also a Syriac inscription was found which has been translated as saying “In the name of God who is capable of resurrecting the dead. In the year one of Alexander … Marcos had lived and died”
A brief account of Ehden's history has been found written by one of its inhabitants who fled from the Mamluk invasion in 1283, tying the manuscript to his chest for safekeeping.
Father George Yammine found the manuscript, which was written, on an old piece of leather, at the start of the nineteenth century in a priest's home in Bsharri. He copied it and following his death, his son Sheikh Roumanos Yammine kept it. It was then passed onto Monsignor Hanna Dib Saydet. In 1930, Historian Semaan el Khazan discovered a copy of that document with another Historian, Father Youhana Maroun Farah el Seb'ali, who had copied it from Monsignor Saade in 1904. It says
" Ehden is a very old village located in the north of Mount Lebanon. It used to be known as 'Patchilassar' a Persian pronunciation meaning 'the paradise of the area'. It is enriched with fresh water, trees and a breathtaking water stream called Mar Sarkis bursts off its eastern mountain. A tribe related to Sam, son of Noah settled in Ehden, which later became a famous site".
In 1264 the people of Ehden supported the Crusades in their battle for the town of Tripoli.
In 1283 the army of the Mamluk Sultan Qalawun invaded Mount Lebanon and burnt Ehden.
In 1586, Ehden was burnt again according to a found manuiscript but it does not mention by whom, all it says that "Ehden was burnt in the year 1897 of the Greek calendar" which means the year 1586 A.D.
In 1610 the first printing press in the Middle East was set up St Anthony of Khozaya Abbey near Ehden. Early publishing was mostly of religious works in Syriac (Karchouni) characters. The printing press is still on display there.
The Greek writing is sited on its exterior garden wall where most of it has been erased through the passing of time. Two lines are still visible in the lower section. A date is also visible of the Alexander year 584, which is equivalent to year 282 A.C. The second writing is in the shape of Greek numbers written on a gravesite next to the church, but could hardly be recognized. As for the Syriac writing, “Rinan” translated the remainder of its meaning in his book titled “Phoenician Mission” as follows: “ In the name of God who is capable of resurrecting the dead. In the year one of Alexander …. Marcos had lived and died” There is also a historical writing, which was transferred to France and is preserved in its Paris museum in the Orient section, numbered 4524 and dated 272 A.C. Dr. Philip Hitti in his book “ Lebanon in History” affirms that; “Ruins dating back to the era of the Roman Empire are widely spread over the mountains. Statues carved on rocks, in addition to Greek and Roman sculptures, graves, temple ruins and buried columns were found in branched and distant villages like Chouslan, Kartaba, Akoura, Tanourin and Ehden.” Ehden’s most famous Christian site is “Dayr al-Salib” (Convent of the Cross), which is a symbol of an era of transformation for Ehdenians who had turned away from idolatry and converted to Christianity, according to a historical document written by Father Kozma. This convent is situated between Ehden and Bkoufa in the versant of Mar Sarkis’ mountain. It is a large grotto containing an altar and was identified by large stones forming a Cross that was placed on top of its entrance, but vanished in 1935. Nevertheless, Al- Semaani wrote in his book “ The Eastern Library” that he witnessed those cross-engraved stones in Hassroun, Bsharri, Ehden and Aytou. Mar Mama church, which was built in 748, is considered as one of the oldest Maronite churches in Lebanon. Father La Monse described it as “ an eighth century church built over a destroyed Byzantine church (sixth century) which was in turn built over an old Canaanite temple”. Mar Youhana church was built in 779 but was ruined. Some of its huge stones were still around till the start of the twentieth century. Two churches belonging to Mar Sarkis convent were built, the first in the 8th century and the other in the 12th. Names of some areas hold a historical meaning such as “Al-Baoul area” named after (Baal the God), “Bab al-Bowayb” meaning (The Door of Doors) for it leads to the kingdom of “Afka” in Ehden’s forest. Afka is the first holy city in history according to Father- Dr. Youssef Yammine al-Ehdeni who is trying to prove this theory by embarking on historical research he has not as yet completed.
Visitors reach Ehden travelling from Beirut through Tripoli, Zgharta, Arjes then Ehden, or from Beirut through Seika, Al-Koura, Seraal, then Ehden, or from Beirut through Baalbak, Al-Arz-Becharri, Kfersghab, then Ehden. There are lots of famous quality restaurants in Ehden known all over Lebanon for their hospitality, high standard, pleasant food and generosity. Most restaurants are located near Mar Sarkis water stream, Al-Dawalib, Horsh Ehden and Al-Middan. Al-Middan is well known for its cafes, sweet shops and entertainment. Annual Folkloric Festivals are held on Al-Middan. Many tourists and visitors who attend Al-Middan ultimately visit Mar Gerges Cathedral, the coffin of Youssef Bey Karam and his statue on “Al-Ketla”, as well as the statue of Al-Sahyouni and Sheikh Asaad Boulos Gravesite. Many cafes can be found in “Al-Moghtaribin” (Immigrants) Street and “Al-Mattal” area, creating an atmosphere of celebration lasting all over Ehden summer attracting tourists and visitors from Lebanon and the world. Concerts featuring stars of Lebanese and Arab singing are held almost nightly. First class hotels and resorts are available for tourists. In addition to modern motels, bars and clubs. Ehden has experienced a building boom in recent times extending beyond its traditional precincts where modern villas and apartments were built. New roads have been developed and old ones were widened to cope with increasing traffic. Convenience and tourism services for comfortable living are widely available in Ehden. There are various shopping centres, speciality shops, health services provided in a public hospital operating throughout the year, plus medical surgeries, chemists, official centres, post and phone centre, summer schools and all facilities needed to provide visitors with the relaxation they require. Ehden is a great site for art events such as hosting cultural and art galleries, stage theatre, open air plays, lectures and forums held by great and talented Zghartians and Lebanese thinkers and intellectuals. Ehden’s visitors have a variety of options apart from enjoying its resorts. They can walk through its natural and magical sites, breath its clear healthy air, or organize a quiet picnic beside its many streams of fresh water surrounded by fantastic scenery.
A large pagan temple was built by Slokos a commander in Alexander the Great’s army and raised a statue of " The god of Sun" near by. The temple and statue were destroyed in 60 BC by the Roman Commander Pompey. Following their conversion to Christianity the people of Ehden built from the stones of the destroyed temple five churches over the temple precincts as a symbol of Christianity’s victory over paganism.
The churches from North to South are:
1-St Peter's.
2- St John’s. The church no longer exists but was located near the statue of Patriarch Stephane Doueihi.
3- St Ghaleb's. Originally called St Zakhia's meaning in Syriac "Victor". This church was near the corner above St Mama's. The building no longer exists.
4- Mar Mama church. The oldest Maronite church in Lebanon.
5- St Estephan's. Named after the first Christian martyr. This Church, which no longer exists, was located a few metres where the present Mar Mama church stands.
The area surrounding St Peter's church was originally the large public square of the pagan temple where the ancient Ehdenians used to meet during feasts and religious ceremonies. They used to sacrifice their eldest sons to their then pagan god for the well being of their families and people, a tradition inherited from ancient Semite times (Abraham and his son lshak). The blood of those sacrificed used to accumulate in the temple square and then streamed through a stone canal to the where the five churches were built. There was a well, which collected the blood near where St Ghaleb’s church stood.
Cathedrals
Churches
Convents
Ehden’s forest is on the NorthEast side of Ehden and is an area of 3000 hectares, with a 1300 to 2000 metre elevation from sea level. Approximate elevation of 1893 metres at “ Al-Jafieh”, 1550 metres at “ Ayn Naasah” and 1440 metres at “Ayn al-Baq” valley. The forest embraces a vital natural forestry reserve with a variety of 40 different types of native plants such as cedars, fir, pine, elm and many others. In addition, 400 different distinctive plants of which 66 grow only in Lebanon, and 11 of the 66 grow distinctly in Ehden making it the sole area in the world to feature these 11 unique plants.
Few of Ehden’s distinctive plants are:
1. “Stripirtps Libanotica” discovered by botanist and scientist La Plader in 1758
2. “Diatanos Karam” discovered in 1870 by botanist Le Blanche who called I it in honour of Youssef Bey Karam.
3. “Flower of Ehden’s forest” (Zahret Horsh Ehden)
4. “ Cotsina Libanotica” thorny plantation.
5. “ The tooth of the Lebanese tiger” (Sin al-Asad al-Loubnani)
Trees that are distinctive:
1. Wild apple trees
2. “ Al-Derdar” (Elm) tree with only four trees of its type left in Lebanon.
3. “Abies Cilicica” a scientific name for the fir tree, which classify Ehden’s forest as the last southern boundary for that tree in the northern half of the Globe. This is confirmed in the World Natural Plantation demographic maps.
Category:Zgharta District Category:Populated places in the North Governorate
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| Name | Najwa Karam |
|---|---|
| Background | solo_singer |
| Birth name | Najwa Nicola Karam |
| Born | February 26, 1966 inZahlé, Lebanon |
| Origin | Zahlé, Lebanon |
| Genre | Arabic music |
| Occupation | singer |
| Years active | 1985 - present |
| Label | Relax-In (1989–1991) CM (1992–1993) Rotana (1994–) |
| Url | http://www.najwakaram.com |
Najwa Karam (; born 26 February 1966, in Zahle, Lebanon) is a Lebanese singer. Her singing career began in the late 1980s with moderate success, but her major successes began in the mid-1990s.
Najwa Karam is one of the most successful Arab singers—participating in numerous festivals and concerts around the globe, and has received a number of awards from various distinguished bodies. She is also Rotana's highest-paid artist.
Karam attended secondary school at Jesus the Angel College, and then worked as a teacher for two years at Eastern College, Zahlé.
In 1985, Karam decided to pursue a singing career by participating in the television singing contest Layali Lubnan (Lebanese Nights), although against her father's wishes. Interpreting popular varieties of the traditional Lebanese Mawal in her powerful voice, Najwa walked away with the Gold Medal, public exposure, and her father's approval.
Following this win, Karam studied at the Lebanese Institute of Music for four years to improve her knowledge of music and the music industry in general. She was under the direction of renowned Lebanese composers Zaki Nassif and Fouad Awad. In 1987, Najwa participated in another television program named Laylat Haz, where she was warmly accepted by the audience. By 1989, Najwa had gained the knowledge and experience she needed to make her first attempt at breaking into the Arabic music industry.
After a three year hiatus from music making, Karam returned to the scene with her follow up album, Shams el-Ghinnieh. The album title was inspired by her nickname, Shams el-Ghinnieh (The sun of song), which was given to her by the Lebanese people and media because of her vocal abilities. The album was recorded by another small record company CM. The style of the album was more romantic and contemporary, in comparison to Najwa's debut, Ya Habayeb, which was more traditional. Shams el-Ghinnieh was received very well by the Lebanese public.
Work on a new album began immediately. Expert poets, writers, and composers were enlisted to help Najwa make a fresh new musical image for herself to revitalize public interest, and finally draw attention from the wider Arab audience. By mid-1994, an album consisting of 8 new songs had been compiled and was ready to be released to the Middle East. Naghmet Hob (The Rhythm of Love) fused Lebanese tradition with Arab pop. Its catchy Lebanese dance song Law Habaytek (If I loved you) was an instant hit, introducing Najwa Karam to all of the Middle East. The song and its video clip dominated the Arabian charts. Its follow up hits from the same album were "Wrood Eddar" (Roses of the Garden) and "Elala (la la)," which received similar success.
The wide success of Naghmet Hob fueled a concert tour and a number of awards for Karam, including a prize from the Lebanese Broadcasting Association for the Best Artist of 1994.
Karam had been thrust to the top of the Arabic music scene in less than a year, and was now constantly in the public eye. In 1995, Najwa started work on her second Rotana album, her fifth release in total. It was titled Ma Bassmahlak and closely followed the traditional style of Naghmet Hob. The main difference was the lyrical and vocal nature of the tracks which had more depth. Riding the wave of her celebrity, two of the songs were hits, namely Ma Bassmahlak (I won't allow you) and Hakim el-Qady (The Judge has spoken).
Following the release of Hazi Helo, Najwa set off on a large scale world concert tour, which would take in many Arab states, parts of Europe, and America. She found a number of fans in the U.S., and performed to sold-out concerts all over. To honour her success in the U.S., Najwa was presented with the Key to the City of Chicago.
The 1998 release, Maghroumeh, marked Karam's "official" transition from purely traditional Lebanese artist to the blend of traditional and contemporary Arabic that she is famous for today. It had poetic Arabic lyrics sung with Najwa's trademark power and authority; extensive use of Arabic instruments (trumbakke, mijwiz, zamour, tabal... etc.) and contemporary ones; and a brand new look for the album cover. Maghroumeh was another success from Karam. The title track, Maghroumeh (I am in Love), was shot as a video clip, and was the biggest hit off the album, hitting number one on most radio stations in the region. Other hits were the feisty Ghamza (The Wink) and the sad love song Noqta al-Satr (Somewhere along the line).
In 2001, Karam made her record breaking release Nedmaneh. It sold over 4 million copies worldwide, and is one of Najwa's most acclaimed albums to date. It followed on from the style of music first presented by Karam in Oyoun Qalbi, and further experimented with new styles and sounds. The song 'Aaskah (Falling in love) was an enormous hit, hitting number one all over the Middle East, and was also quite popular abroad. It was a more playful and vibrant song than most of Karam's previous work, with a strong bass line, and a distinct oriental influence. It was quite different from any Arabic song at the time, and appealed to a wide range of audiences. The success of Nedmaneh brought about a number of awards, including a coveted Murex D'or for "Best Arabic Artist" award, and three special awards from Karam's production company, Rotana: "Artist of the Year", "Album of the Year" and "Highest Selling Album".In 2001 Najwa Karem got married to Youssef Harb and got divorce her brother tony spilled out her secret.
To further Rotana's crediting of Karam's successes, an honouring assemble was held on Saturday, 23 June 2001 where Karam was awarded for her achievements throughout her singing career and for the huge success of Nedmaneh. The ceremony was held at the Venesia Hotel, Beirut, Lebanon. In attendance were the Lebanese Minister of Information, Ghazi Al-Aredi who was representing the President of the Lebanese Republic, Émile Lahoud, prominent singer Wadih el Safi, acclaimed composer Elias Rahbani and a number of journalists and reporters. During the night, Karam sang some of her hits (old and new), and was presented with numerous medals and trophies. The recording was released on a special edition CD (Live in Concert), along with a compilation CD comprising of Najwa's hits from 1989-2000 titled The Very Best Of Najwa Karam.
Karam's 2002 album, Tahamouni, was far removed from the "easy going" contemporary feel of Oyoun Qalbi and Nedmaneh, and audiences noticed. The album was intended to get back in touch with a more youthful audience from other Arab nations, with whom had taken slight dis-interest in Karam's music from the late 90s. This was shown though songs like Tahamouni (They accused me) which included attempts at rapping, and Ew'a Tekoun Ze'alt (I hope you're not mad at me) which seemed to have a complete Western influence. The songs had a youthful sound.
Taking this success, Najwa got back to the drawing board for a new album. Months were spent piecing together lyrics and arrangements, and by mid 2003, the album was ready for release. Rotana set up a large launch party in Downtown Beirut, where over fifteen thousand of Karam's fans packed the streets, waiting for Najwa to appear and sing her new material.
Saharni (Charmed) was exactly the kind of album that was a rebirth of the "old Najwa Karam", and took the public by surprise, as they had at this point come to expect contemporary pop from the Shams el-Ghinnieh. The music had all the makings of distinctly Lebanese music: trumbakke solos, traditional wind instruments, lots of bass and a vibrant singing style - all features far removed from the "western" motif that most artists opted for at the time. Not only had Karam's music changed, but she also sported a new look, which further emphasised that the album was a turn around. Saharni's success was instantaneous, even though there was a lack of video clips for the songs, the album came through on top of the charts, and produced a number of major hits, including Edhak Lil Dounya (Smile to the world), and the title track Saharni (He charmed me).
Najwa made a world tour to complement Saharni's success, taking in the Middle East as well as destinations such as France and the U.S. with Wadih el Safi. She also travelled to Australia, where her concert there still holds the record for largest ever recorded concert attendance for an Arabic artist. Najwa was presented with a number of awards and achievements in 2003. These include "Highest Selling Album" from Rotana, and award for the "Best singer of Traditional Lebanese Song" from the Lions Club, "Song of the Year": Edhak Lil Donya from Sawt El Ghad Australia and an honorary Award from Australian Government.
As the New Year came and passed, Karam began work on a new single to be included in her upcoming album. This single would be like no other she had released before. Titled Leish Mgharrab? (Why are you living abroad?) it told of the hardships that people face when having to leave their home country for a better life. Coupled with this harrowing topic, was a revolutionary new music video (directed by Sa'aed el-Marouk), which would transform modern day Beirut into a bleak and harsh wasteland in 2020. The original video - which also contained scenes of citizens protesting against the Lebanese government - was banned from being aired by the Lebanese Parliament. When the clip was edited slightly, it was finally allowed to go to air, along with its song. It hit home with many people, especially those living abroad in countries like Australia and the U.S.. It also sent a direct message to Lebanese politicians, telling them to act on their words.
After a few months, Najwa had completed the rest of her new album, Shu Mghaira..!. Like Saharni, it was distinctly Lebanese, but it was more of a modern adaptation, with a reflective and sad overtone. Najwa continued her many live appearances to promote the album, and a notable event for 2004 was her sell-out concert in Carthage, Tunisia where she performed to thousands of enthusiastic fans. The tracks Bi Hawak (In your love) and Shu Mghaira (How you've changed) were shot in an expensive duel video clip which was riddled with special effects. It remained at the number 1 position for 6 weeks on the Rotana Top 20 Chart. The two songs were the most popular from the album, and Najwa obtained the as "Female Artist of the Year" from MusicanaNet.net, which was decided via a large scale internet poll.
Due to the prolonged situation in the Lebanon region, Karam's 2005 album was postponed from originally being released in June, then July and then finally postponed until November 2005. However, Karam released another single in late July called Bhebak Walaa which was an upbeat, contemporary/traditional song typical of Karam's usual work. It was a fairly big hit, hitting number one on many internet and radio charts. On 6 September 2005, Karam released the video for Bhebak Walaa, directed by Salim el-Turk.
On the same day, Karam's 15th studio album, Kibir'el Hob (Love Just Got Greater) was officially released. The album gained widespread attention through its rigorous advertising campaign, which included the billboard posters, many television appearances [on popular variety programs such as Dandana, and Akeed Maestro], and music video clips for singles. Kibir'el Hob topped the highest selling album chart in Lebanon for Rotana during the Christmas sales period, and remained in the number one position through the New Year. In mid April 2006, Karam released a third and last single from the Kibir'el Hob album, accompanied by a video clip, and proved to be among the most popular Arabic songs of the year 2006.
In response to the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict, Karam teamed for the first time with popular Lebanese singer/songwriter Melhim Barakat to record the song Rah Yeb2a El Watan. The track was written and composed by Barakat, and called for unity among all Lebanese people. The single was released in late September and was critically acclaimed for its message and vocals, although criticised for its short running time. Plans for another collaboration with Barakat are underway.
On 6 June 2007, the company Rotana released Najwa's 16th album titled Hayda Haki. A new Lebanese album with Najwa Karam's special flavor in it. This album include 8 excellent songs as usual.
Different kind of styles in each song. A powerful mawal in Raje3 Tes2al 3a Meen and a nice/soft mawal for El hanone. Law ma btekzob is like her 90's songs , Ana Rouh and Nawer Eyami are two of a kind romance songs. Hata Be Ahlamak , Hayda Haki and Behkik are upbeat songs with different styles in each one and a special Najwa Karam's touch. Hayda Haki was the next song (after her 06-07 huge hit Shu Hal Hala) that Najwa Karam shot as a video clip with Lebanese director Said el Marouk.
From the First week of the release of Hayda Haki it was the best selling album in Lebanon in UAE and Kwait Number one best selling Album.The Album had huge succees from the first week of release in Lebanon, the Gulf, Libya, Syria, Jordan and other Arabic countries.
Najwa Karam was a guest on the show Album on MBC 1. In 29 June 2007, she shined on Album's stage , one week before Album's final prime. She started by singing Hayda Haki by herself. Secondly, she sang Sho hal hala with one of the three groups. Thirdly, she sang Law Ma Btekzob with another group of the three groups.
In June she released her latest video clip : Hayda Haki, which displayed her character in a romantic atmosphere and love shots and in its first day on the charts she landed on the 1st spot.
Najwa Karam toured the United States and Canada with Lebanese Stars Wael Kfoury and Fadel Shaker, the tour lasted for a little more than a month as they visited major cities and was all success. The American concerts were in Chicago, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas, Detroit, New Jersey, Boston and Miami. And in Canada, concerts were in Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto, singing in the biggest and most important venues.
Najwa celebrated the New Year's Eve with Wael Kfoury in the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, the huge demand on the concert left it sold out more than a week before its date.
Najwa Karam was the first guest on the first prime of Star Academy 5 LBC on Friday 25 January 2008. She sang: Hayda Haki, Law ma btekzob and Ana rou7 ya rou7i.
On 9 February, Karam held a huge, successful concert in the capital city of Germany , Berlin.
After four days , Najwa released a video clip for "Law Ma Btekzob" by the director Fadi Haddad. The song achieved tremendous success across the middle east. Along with Law Ma Btekzob success, the song Behkeek was achieveing unexpected success too in Egypt and Lebanon ranking #2 in both charts for couple of weeks.
One of Najwa's most anticipated appearance on tv show Al Arrab (Final), with host Nishan, was aired on 31 May. As well, George Kurda7i was there. Najwa sang medley of her old and new songs and added songs for Fairouz, Sabah , Wadih El Safi and Samira Tawfiq. She also sang one of her old mawal "Wainak Ya Ra3i Deni" (Where are you God?) aka. Mawal El Adyan and it achieved huge success.
On 17 July 2008, Rotana released Najwa's 17th studio-album, "Am Bimzah Maak(I'm Joking with you). The album received great amount of success and positive critics. The album contained 8 songs. One of the most famous arabic composer Melhim Baraket composed two songs from the album: "Kammil 3ala Rouhi" and "Gatalna El Khof". The album stayed for three months #1 in Virgin Mega Store Lebanon, 4 weeks #1 in UAE Virgin Mega Store, 8 Weeks in Saudi Arabia, etc.; Rotana , Najwa's production company, said that Najwa Karam's last album Am Bimzah Maak, was one of the top 3 best-selling (Rotana) albums in the middle east. It was chosen by Virgin MegaStore Jordan , as Top 3 most selling albums in the year of 2008.
One week after the release of her album, The Queen of Carthage, Najwa Karam shined in Carthage, Tunisia. The concert was very successful.
Najwa Karam went to Sweden where she shined in the Globe-arena 20 September.
The celebrating of Eid El Fitr took place in Dubai.
While four songs from Aam Bimza7 Maak; Am Bimzah Maak , Enta El Shams , Amanti Galbi , and Taa Khabik were achieving a lot of success all over the middle east, Najwa released her second video clip from her latest album " Ma Bkhabi Aleyk" were she collaborated for the first time with Lebanese young director Randa Aalam.
She got an invitation to open the new music-channel named Al Dafrah that would take place 1 November.
Najwa shot a 3rd video clip from her successful album " Aam Bimza7 Maa" called Taa Taa Khabik. And it played on many Music channels in the middle east and received huge success in Lebanon, Maghreb, Syria, Jordan and the Gulf countries.
On 9 March, specifically on Mothers Day, Najwa Karam released her anticipated single "El Deni Em" (A mother is the whole world), which received huge success and stayed #1 for three weeks on the Online-Magazine "Elaph".
After the meeting between Najwa Karam and Nidal El Ahmadieh (journalist) took place to discuss the many events that took place including Nidal El Ahmadieh's imprisonment, everything is back to normal and Najwa & Nidal are back to being on better terms.
In May of 2009, Najwa Karam traveled to Morocco to perform at the Mawazine Festival 2009. Her opening performance attracted a crowd exceeding 60,000. She performed for two and a half hours long as the crowd sang and danced along with her. It will go down in history as one of, if not the most successful concert of Najwa's legendary career.
On 10 June 2009, Rotana released Najwa's 18th album, entitled "Khallini Shoufak" (Let me see you). It has been deemed a very strong release from Shams El Ghenniyie, Najwa Karam. The album contains 8 songs, each with a different style of music and catchy lyrics. It is worth mentioning that along with the lead single "Khallini Shufak", three other songs are receiving huge success: "Eidak" (your hand), "Allah Yesghello Balo" (may God make him worry), and "Aboos Eynak" (kiss your eye). The remaining songs are: "Wale'"(light the fire), "El Deni Em" (a mother is the whole world), "Albi Masna' Baroud" (my heart is a gun factory), "El Haramy" (the thieve). The album is considered to be Najwa's strongest return to her original style since "Saharny" (2003). Najwa said, "it's full of folkloric, balady songs, similar to Saharny and her 90's releases". Her video for "Khallini Shoufak" was released around the same time as her cd.
It's worth to mention that Najwa was a guest performer on Star Academy 6's (Lebanon) final prime. She sang "Am Bemzah Ma'ak" (I'm joking with you), "Ta'a Khabeek" (Let me hide you), and her latest single, "Khallini Shoufak" (Let Me See you).
Najwa appeared on Layali El Samar on March 25, 2010 on ABU DHABI TV. Also Najwa was the guest star on Taratata, Dubai TV, and soon after she appeared on the TV show Akher Man Ya3lam.
In 7 May 2009 sawt el ghad radio Beirut start playing Najwa's new hit Bil Rou7 Bil Dam (with soul with blood) and it was the first time since 17 years that Najwa produce her song out of Rotana... the song is well received by the people and having a huge success.
On November 11 2010 Najwa released her newest single "Lashhad Hobak" (I'll beg for your love). The video clip is now showing on multiple arabic television stations.
Najwa Karam has officially signed the contract with Rotana for 2011 after some complication with the record company.
Najwa has also raised money for other causes such as cancer research via a number of chartity performances.
Before the end of 2007 Najwa Karam appeared on LBCI tv and announced that she will be donating free full health insurance for 300 attending elderly people, hoping that this "small" first step will become bigger and bigger.
Najwa performed in a live concert on Berlin, Germany during February 2008, a percentage of the concert's earnings goes as aid for children of war in Lebanon and Palestine.
Najwa, also is currently working hard to be appointed United Nations Goodwill Ambassador, she feels that she has to contribute through her art to spread peace worldwide from the middle east.
Category:1966 births Category:Living people Category:Arabic-language singers Category:Lebanese female singers Category:Lebanese Maronites Category:People from Zahle Category:Rotana artists
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| Name | Grace Slick |
|---|---|
| Background | solo_singer |
| Birth name | Grace Barnett Wing |
| Born | October 30, 1939Evanston, Illinois, USA |
| Instrument | Vocals, keyboards, guitar |
| Genre | Psychedelic rock, acid rock, hard rock |
| Occupation | Singer-songwriter, Visual artist |
| Years active | 1965–1990 (music), 1998–present (visual arts) |
| Label | RCA |
| Associated acts | Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship, Starship, The Great Society |
| Url | Grace Slick paintings |
Grace Slick (born Grace Barnett Wing; October 30, 1939) is an American singer and songwriter, who was one of the lead singers of the rock groups The Great Society, Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship, and Starship, and was a solo artist, for nearly three decades, from the mid-1960s to the mid-1990s. Slick was an important figure in the 1960s psychedelic rock genre, and is known for her witty lyrics and powerful contralto vocals.
Before entering the music scene, Slick was a model for I. Magnin for a short time in the early sixties.
Other notable songs that she recorded with Jefferson Airplane include "Two Heads", "Lather" and "Greasy Heart". The songs "Somebody to Love" and "White Rabbit" appeared on Rolling Stone's top 500 greatest songs of all time. Both songs were first performed by The Great Society; their version of "White Rabbit" featured an oboe solo by Slick.
In 1968, Slick performed "Crown of Creation" on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in black face and ended with a Black Panther fist. In a 1969 Dick Cavett Show performance, Slick became the first person to say "motherfucker" on live television during a performance of "We Can Be Together" as Jefferson Airplane.
Grace was given the nickname "The Chrome Nun" by David Crosby, who also referred to Paul Kantner as "Baron von Tollbooth". Their nicknames were used as the title of an album she made with bandmates Paul Kantner and David Freiberg entitled Baron Von Tollbooth and the Chrome Nun
During Jefferson Starship's 1978 European tour, Slick's alcoholism became a problem for the band. The group had to cancel the first night in Germany because Slick was too intoxicated to perform, causing the audience to riot. She performed the next night with the band but was so inebriated she could not sing properly and then began to attack the audience. She abused the crowd verbally by mocking the country for losing WWII and groped both female audience members and band mates. The next day she left the group. She was admitted to a detoxification facility at least twice, once during the 1970s at Duffy's in Napa Valley and once in the 1990s with daughter China. Slick has publicly acknowledged her alcoholism, discussed her rehabilitation experiences, and commented on her use of LSD, marijuana and other substances in her autobiography, in various interviews, and in several celebrity addiction and recovery books, including The Courage to Change by Dennis Wholey and The Harder They Fall by Gary Stromberg and Jane Merrill.
During the 1980s, Slick was the only former Jefferson Airplane member to be in Starship. The band went on to score three chart-topping successes with "We Built This City", "Sara", and "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now". Despite the huge success, Grace has since spoken negatively about the experience and the music. She left the group soon after their second number one success. In 1989, Slick and her former Jefferson Airplane band members reformed the group. They released a reunion album and a successful tour followed.
During 1971, after a long recording session, she crashed her car into a wall near the Golden Gate Bridge while racing with Jorma Kaukonen. Amazingly, she suffered only a concussion and later used the incident as the basis of her "Never Argue with a German if You're Tired or European Song", which appears on the Bark album (1971).
While Slick had troubles with the law while acting as a part of Jefferson Airplane, she was arrested individually at least three times for what she has referred to as "TUI" ("Talking Under the Influence") and "Drunk Mouth". While technically the charges were DUI, the three arrests mentioned in her autobiography occurred when she was not actually inside a vehicle.
The first of the arrests occurred after an argument in the car with then partner Paul Kantner, who became tired of bickering, pulled the car keys from the ignition, and tossed them through the car window onto someone's front lawn. While Slick crawled around on the lawn looking for the keys, a police officer arrived and asked what was happening. Her response (laughter) did not amuse the officer, and she was taken to jail.
The second time occurred after Slick neglected to check the oil level in her car engine and flames began leaping out from under the hood. When an officer arrived and, as previously, asked what was happening, her response that particular time was less amusing and more sarcastic. With her car belching fire, it seemed obvious to her what was happening. As a result of her quip, she was taken to the Marin County jail.
The third arrest happened after an officer caught her sitting against a tree trunk in the back woods of Marin County drinking wine, eating bread, and reading poetry. When the officer asked what she was doing, her sarcastic response got her another ride to the Marin County jail.
She was reportedly arrested in 1994 for assault with a deadly weapon after pointing an unloaded gun at a police officer (after, according to her, the officer came onto her property without explanation).
After retirement from music, she began painting and drawing. She has done many renditions of her fellow 1960s musicians, such as Janis Joplin, Jerry Garcia, and others. In 2000 she began displaying and selling her artwork. She attends many of her art shows across the United States.
She has generally refrained from engaging in the music business, although she did perform on "Knock Me Out", a track from In Flight, the 1996 solo debut from former 4 Non Blondes singer, and friend of daughter China, Linda Perry. The song was also on the soundtrack to .
In a 2001 USA Today article, she said, "I'm in good health and people want to know what I do to be this way...I don't eat cheese, I don't eat duck—the point is I'm vegan...." However, she also admits that she's "not strict vegan, because I'm a hedonist pig. If I see a big chocolate cake that is made with eggs, I'll have it."
Grace released her autobiography, Somebody to Love? A Rock and Roll Memoir, in 1998 and narrated an abridged version of the book as an audiobook. A biography, Grace Slick, The Biography by Barbara Rowes was released in 1980 and is currently out of print.
In 2006, Grace suffered from diverticulitis. After initial surgery, she had a relapse requiring further surgery and a tracheotomy. She was placed in an induced coma for two months and then had to learn to walk again.
Also in 2006, Slick gave a speech at the inauguration of the new Virgin America airline, which had named their first aircraft "Jefferson Airplane."
In 2008, Slick contributed vocals to the hidden track (actually a previously unreleased 1970 outtake featuring Slick, Paul Kantner and Jack Traylor) of the latest Jefferson Starship release, Jefferson's Tree of Liberty.
In 2010, Slick co-wrote "Edge of Madness" with singer Michelle Mangione to raise money for the BP Oil Spill.
Though Slick has been drawing and painting since she was a child, she admits to not being able to multitask and therefore did not do much of it while she was focusing on the various bands and music she was involved with during her musical career. She uses acrylic paints (she says oil takes too long to dry), canvas, pen, ink, scratchboard, pastels, and pencil. Many of her works are mixed media. Her styles range from the children’s bookish “Alice in Wonderland” themes to the realism of the Rock and Roll portraits and scratchboards of animals to the minimalist Japanese sumi-e-styled nudes to a variety of other subjects and styles. The best-selling prints and originals are, not surprisingly, her various renditions of the white rabbit and the portraits of her colleagues in the music industry. In 2006, the popularity of her “Alice in Wonderland” works led to a partnership with Dark Horse Comics, Inc. that resulted in the release of stationery and journals with the “Wonderland” motif.
While critics have variously panned and praised her work, Slick seems indifferent to the criticism. She views her visual artistry as just another extension of the artistic temperament that landed her in the music scene in the first place, as it allows her to continue to produce art in a way that does not require the physical demands of appearing on a stage nightly or traveling with a large group of people. Patti Smith, Sandy Denny and Dolores O'Riordan. Like Joplin, Slick's uncompromising persona and powerful voice helped to open up new modes of expression for female performers, giving a new legitimacy to the role of the female lead singer in the male-dominated world of rock music.
Slick did vocals for a piece known as Jazzy Spies, a series of animated shorts about the numbers 2 through 10 (a #1 short was never made), which aired on Sesame Street. The segment for the number two appeared in the first episode of the first season of Sesame Street, November 10, 1969.
She was nominated for a Grammy award in 1980 as Best Rock Female Vocalist for her solo album Dreams.
She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996 (as a member of Jefferson Airplane).
She was ranked #20 on VH1's 100 Greatest Women of Rock N Roll.
Aside from singing, she also sometimes played piano, keyboards, oboe, and recorder for the bands.
In 1993, she also provided the narration for the Stephen King short story, "You Know They Got a Hell of a Band" on his "Nightmares & Dreamscapes" audiobook.
;Compilation
;with The Great Society
;with Jefferson Airplane
;with Jefferson Starship
;with Starship
;with Paul Kantner
;Guest Appearances
Category:1939 births Category:American contraltos Category:American female singers Category:American rock singers Category:American singer-songwriters Category:American vegans Category:Female rock singers Category:Living people Category:Musicians from Illinois Category:American musicians of Norwegian descent Category:Palo Alto High School alumni Category:People from Evanston, Illinois Category:People from the San Francisco Bay Area Category:Jefferson Airplane members Category:Jefferson Starship members Category:American musicians of Swedish descent Category:University of Miami alumni Category:Psychedelic rock musicians
This text is licensed under the Creative Commons CC-BY-SA License. This text was originally published on Wikipedia and was developed by the Wikipedia community.
| Name | George Wassouf |
|---|---|
| Background | solo_singer |
| Born | December 23, 1961 |
| Origin | Kafroun, Syria |
| Genre | Syrian, Arabic Music |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Years active | 1975 — |
| Label | Rotana |
George Wassouf () (born December 23, 1961) is a popular Syrian singer with over 30 albums to his name. He is an ethnic Syriac. Born in Kafroun, Homs, Syria into a Christian household, he was called the miraculous child of his time for his artistic talent in singing.
People at that time thought of him as being the only one who could provide tarab with his magical and crystal voice that was very sharp and high- pitched when he was young and matured into the deep, commanding voice that he is now known for. A few of his first songs that brought him to fame include "Hawa Sultan", "Rohi ya Nesmah", "Helif el-Amar", and "Law Naweit".
Wassouf's magical voice was discovered by his first manager and producer "george yazbeck". This happened when Wassouf was 12 years old - he was singing at a wedding party. George Wassouf also got married at the age of 21 to Shalimar, who is originally from Sierra Leone. They have three children: Wadee', Hatem, and George Jr. His eldest son's name is Wadee', which is why he is known as Abu Wadee' (meaning father of Wadee).
George Wassouf has produced more than 30 albums and has performed concerts all around the world. Started from the famous Lebanese show which fired the fame of many Lebanese singers "Studio El Fan" 1980 when he was only 16 years old, surprisingly he was called at this time "Sultan of Tarab". The Song "Hilef il Amar" made a massive hit in the Arab world, although Wassouf was quite young at that time. However Wassouf was able to rise to the rank of "king" of Arab Tarab. Wassouf is famous for his unique style and performance. There are a few younger singers who have attempted to copy his vocal style such as George El Rassi. Wassouf is one of the few singers that were able to attract millions of fans in a short period of time. In addition, Wassouf is not only famous in the Arab World but is also known in Europe and the States as one of the best Arabian singers.
He doesn't like to shoot his songs into video clips although he had some successful hits in the early 1990s, he used to say about this: "I don't feel I can act ... I really can't... I only find myself when I'm on the stage ... singing, but the video clip forces me to act".
Category:1961 births Category:Living people Category:Syrian people stubs Category:Arabic-language singers Category:Syrian Christians Category:Rotana artists Category:Syrian singers Category:People from Homs Category:Lebanese people of Syrian descent
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