Mansour Rahbani.. A Centennial of Renewed Creativity

In 2025, Lebanon and the Arab world will celebrate the centenary of the birth of a towering artistic figure, Mansour Rahbani. He is the artist who did not know the impossible, but rather carved out of his words and melodies a world of his own, a world that combines poetry, music and theater, and speaks to the hearts of millions.

Philokalia commemorates the giant

On the centenary of Mansour Rahbani, efforts are combined to commemorate his memory and dedicate his creativity. Among these activities, the “Literary Salon” symposium at the “Philokalia” Institute comes as a shed light on different aspects of the personality of this exceptional artist.

Testimonials from comrades

In this symposium, which was attended by the late Rahbani’s sons, Ghadi and Osama, Mansour’s friends and comrades gathered to share their testimonies about him. Rafiq Khoury, who had never left him since his youth, recounted how he met the Rahbani brothers, and how Fairuz used to sing their difficult melodies with a unique performance.

The writer Suhail Matar, for his part, shed light on Mansour’s poems, analyzing their poetic aesthetics, while Father Youhanna Juha, in turn, emphasized that Mansour was a “creative group” in himself, as he was the author, poet, composer, orchestra conductor, and director all at once.

Artist Ghassan Saliba, who participated in many of Mansour’s plays, considered that his cooperation with him added a dimension to his artistic personality that he would not have had without Mansour’s genius.

Philokalia: A Platform for Rahbani Creativity

Philokalia, headed by Sister Marana Saad, did not only hold the symposium, but also presented a collection of songs by the Rahbani brothers and Mansour, and screened a documentary film about Mansour’s life, from the municipal policeman to the great poet and playwright.

Mansour Rahbani: An everlasting legacy

Mansour Rahbani, who once wrote “I Travel Alone as a King,” left behind a huge artistic legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.. and an example to be followed in the world of art and music, and his music will remain immortal.