Fairuz's Anthem of Resilience: A Song of Hope and Despair in Lebanon
In the heart of Beirut, graffiti depicting the legendary singer Fairuz stands as a poignant symbol of a 'golden age' for Lebanon. This visual tribute mirrors the complex legacy of her patriotic song, Bahebak Ya Lebnan, which has long served as an anthem of resilience for the nation. Originally released in 1976 during the early stages of a devastating 15-year civil war, the song has repeatedly resurged to inspire hope amid catastrophe, from conflicts with Israel to the Covid-19 pandemic and the 2020 Port of Beirut explosion.
A Song of Unity and Catharsis
For many Lebanese, Bahebak Ya Lebnan evokes deep emotions of unity and national pride. Leila Milki, a Lebanese-American singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles, describes it as a cathartic and hopeful message that resonated across generations. "I knew that, in terms of my parents' generation and even my grandparents' generation, the song was sort of this really cathartic, hopeful message of unity," Milki explains. The lyrics, which express love for Lebanon's north, south, and plains, have made it a de facto national anthem, symbolising the country's ability to rebuild and endure tragedy.
Evolving into a Lament
However, as Lebanon faces ongoing strife, including the current US-Israeli war and forced displacements, the song's meaning has shifted for many. Milki notes that it has evolved into more of a lament, capturing the exhaustion and grief of a people repeatedly forced to embrace a narrative of rebirth. "It feels like this moment of deep grief that truly captures the essence of what it feels like to be so exhausted, and to time and time again have to surrender to the rebirth narrative, knowing full well that nobody wants to be experiencing this," she says.
Nostalgia Versus Reality
For younger Lebanese, the song often represents a nostalgic fantasy of a 'golden age' in the 1950s and 1960s, a period many have never experienced. Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram are filled with posts soundtracked by Bahebak Ya Lebnan, yearning for an idealised past. Yet, this nostalgia masks the harsh realities of daily life in Lebanon, where people in the south face forced evacuations and airstrikes in the latest Israeli campaign against Hezbollah.
Lara Atallah, a Brooklyn-based artist with parents in Lebanon, finds the song unsettling. "I wish I could listen to it without feeling rattled," she admits. "I do not actively listen to it or much of Fairuz's music as it's come to connote war, devastation and endless mourning, all caught in the net of her heartbreakingly beautiful voice."
Generational Divides and Anger
Dr Nour El Rayes, an ethnomusicologist at Johns Hopkins University who grew up in Lebanon, highlights the generational divide in how the song is perceived. For older generations who lived through the 'golden age', it captures a genuine feeling of that era. "Fairuz was theirs. She came up when they came up. This was the popular music of the moment," El Rayes says. In contrast, younger Lebanese, who have inherited a world 'on fire', may not share this optimism. "I also think the kids are angry," she adds. "They inherited this world that's on fire. Many of them just don't believe there's a future to be optimistic about."
The Cliché of Resilience
Despite its enduring popularity, with covers by artists like Hussain Al Jassmi and Assala, the song raises questions about whether it perpetuates an antiquated stereotype of Lebanese resilience. Sleiman Damien, a Lebanese music producer in Dubai, argues that the truth is more complex. "It's almost a cliche that Lebanese people are resilient and optimistic by default, but we are also exhausted," he says. Dina Ikbal Yunis, a researcher in Beirut, adds that many Lebanese are in love with the concept of nostalgia, clinging to an idealised version of the country that bears little resemblance to reality.
As Fairuz herself acknowledged in a 1999 interview, her music often represents an idealised Lebanon that 'bears no resemblance' to real life. Today, as the song continues to soundtrack both despair and hope, it serves as a powerful reminder of the nation's enduring struggles and the fragile balance between nostalgia and the pressing challenges of the present.
