Last Saturday, twenty Lebanese stars performed together in a powerful rejection of divisive politics and sectarianism. Pop idols, divas, comedians, sportsmen, rappers and actors put on the best possible display of the real Lebanon – talented, resilient, and proud of their country.
It was an extraordinary night. The charismatic Anthony Touma got the largest screams, but the biggest cheer was for a moving combination of Ave Maria and the Call to Prayer, sung by Tania Kassis and Maritta Hillani (daughter of Assi) with choirs from across Lebanon. Nemer Abu Nassar, using language an ambassador could sadly never get away with, nailed hilariously the ridiculousness of those who base politics on the clash of confessions rather than the clash of ideas.
Michel Fadel pulled together a series of brilliant adaptations of Lebanese and international classics, including British songs by Queen and John Lennon. Georges Khabbaz spoke beautifully and poetically about Lebanon’s situation. Joseph Atieh sang ‘Lebanon is coming back’. Mike Massi, Maggie Bou Ghosn, Carlos Azar, Hicham El Hajj, Brigitte Yaghi, Aline Lahoud, Rahaf Abdallah and Zeina Daccache kept the crowd at fever pitch.
Thousands of One Lebanon wristbands were sold, and the event was staffed by eager volunteers from across the country. Soon the ‘One Lebanon’ anthem will go on sale.
The contrast with the terrorist attack earlier that day in Hermel could not have been starker. So too the contrast with politicians arguing over Ministerial jobs, and journalists writing only about Lebanon as on the verge of collapse. The concert even generated a positive Lebanon story in the UK press. For me the evening combined the patriotism of Last Night of the Proms with the passion of Les Miserables and the conscience of Live Aid. With divisive voices louder than ever, it was good to see the silent majority arguing back in favour of coexistence and liberty.
We were proud to be big supporters of the project. Putting together a concert in Lebanon is almost as hard as putting together a government. Congratulations and thanks to all the inspirational people involved in the organisation, fundraising and performing. Thanks too to the sell out crowd who cheered and sang along, danced debke and waved flags. I don’t think we have heard the last of ‘One Lebanon’.