Miss Lebanon advances to Top 40 at Miss World 2025, ranks among Top 10 in Asia & Oceania
In addition to securing a spot among the global contenders, Koussa also ranked in the Top 10 for the Asia & Oceania region, standing out among contestants from across the continent.
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LBCI
21 hours ago
- LBCI
Remembering Ziad Rahbani: The legend who rewrote Lebanon's soundtrack
Report by Wissam Nasrallah, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi "What About Tomorrow?" Ziad Rahbani once quipped—a phrase that, in its simplicity, captured his cynical and humorous view of the world. Today, Rahbani, the irreplaceable artist, is gone—quietly, without knowing what tomorrow holds. Born 69 years ago, in 1956, in the town of Antelias, Ziad grew up in a household steeped in music and art. His mother, Fairuz, is Lebanon's eternal voice, and his father, Assi Rahbani, was one half of the pioneering Rahbani Brothers duo. Music, for Ziad, was not just a birthright—it was destiny. From an early age, Rahbani began playing instruments, and by his teenage years, he was already composing. Ziad carved his own path, opting for raw realism over romanticism, and crafted songs and plays that reflected the struggles of everyday people. Deeply rooted in leftist politics, his work always sided with the poor and marginalized. At 14, he penned his first hit, "Dalli Hibbini Ya Lawziyeh." At 17, he wrote his first song for Fairuz during a time when his father was severely ill. That emotional track, "Saalouni El Nass," filled with sorrow and love, marked the beginning of a long and bold artistic partnership between mother and son—one that challenged the dreamy aesthetic of the 'Rahbani school' with a more grounded and daring style. His musical portfolio includes modern classics such as "Kifak Inta" and "Oudak Rannan," but his legacy extends beyond music. In the same year he began composing, Ziad also ventured into theater. His debut play, "Sahriyeh," launched a career in satirical political theater that made him a defining voice during and after Lebanon's civil war. His plays—"Nazl Al-Sourour," "A Long American Movie," "What About Tomorrow?",* and "Chi Feshil"—became mirrors of Lebanese society, performed in colloquial Arabic and laced with biting black comedy. Rahbani spared no one in his critique—lambasting political leaders, sectarian figures, and societal hypocrisies with fearless candor. He refused to compromise with power or even to flatter his own audience, remaining fiercely independent to his last breath. Musically, he revolutionized the Lebanese sound by blending jazz, pop, classical, and oriental music into a new, unorthodox form. Albums like "To Whom It May Concern" and "Bima Inno" cemented his role as a pioneer of Lebanon's alternative music scene. Even in his rare media appearances in recent years, Ziad's wit and humor left their mark—offering laughter even in the gravest of discussions. Though his public presence had diminished, he remained a symbol of rebellion, freedom, and creativity for an entire generation. Ziad Rahbani may have passed after a battle with illness, but his voice endures—in music, in theater, and the consciousness of a nation; a defiant note that will never fade.
LBCI
a day ago
- LBCI
Speaker Berri mourns Ziad Rahbani: 'Without Ziad, Lebanon's melody is sad'
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri mourned the passing of artist Ziad Rahbani, saying: "Lebanon without Ziad is drenched in sorrow—the melody aches, words mourn, and the black curtain closes on a Rahbani chapter—gentle, vibrant, and fiercely patriotic—that will echo forever." Berri added: "My heart goes out to Fairouz, to the Rahbani family, and to every Lebanese soul grieving the loss of Ziad Rahbani, whose art captured Lebanon's sweetness—turning heartache into poetry, hope into melody, and longing into song. Farewell, Ziad—you will be deeply missed."
LBCI
a day ago
- LBCI
President Aoun: Ziad Rahbani gave voice to pain, truth, and resistance
President Joseph Aoun expressed his sorrow over the death of legendary artist Ziad Rahbani, describing his career as an exceptional artistic journey that left a profound mark on Lebanon's cultural memory. 'Ziad Rahbani was not just an artist, but a complete intellectual and cultural phenomenon,' Aoun said in a statement. 'More than that, he was a living conscience, a rebellious voice against injustice, and a truthful mirror for the oppressed and marginalized. He wrote the pain of the people and played the strings of truth without hesitation.' Aoun highlighted Rahbani's unique artistic vision, conveyed through his purposeful theater and music that blended classical, jazz, and Eastern melodies, adding that he 'opened new windows of cultural expression in Lebanon that reached global recognition.' 'Ziad was a natural extension of the Rahbani family, which gave Lebanon so much beauty and dignity. He was the son of the great Assi Rahbani and of our star to the heavens, Fairuz, to whom we extend our sincerest condolences today. Our hearts are with her in this immense loss, sharing her grief over the passing of someone who was more than a pillar in her life. We also extend our condolences to the esteemed Rahbani family for this great loss,' Aoun expressed. Aoun concluded: 'Ziad's many remarkable works will live on in the memory of Lebanese and Arabs, inspiring future generations and reminding them that art can be a form of resistance, and that words can take a stand. May Ziad Rahbani rest in peace, and may his music and plays—alive with memory and life—remain a beacon of freedom and a call for human dignity.'
