Yesterday, November 21st, marked the 91st birthday of the legendary artist Fairuz. This is the first year she is commemorating her birthday without her son, Ziad Rahbani, who passed away on July 26, 2025, following a long battle with illness. Fairuz made a public appearance at her son's funeral, her first in many years, appearing in a state of solemn silence and grief. Reactions on social media yesterday were a mix of congratulations for Fairuz's birthday and renewed sorrow over the loss of her son. In their comments, the public remembered Ziad Rahbani, who was Fairuz's artistic partner and significantly contributed to renewing her musical career. Their collaborative works have influenced the artistic scene for decades. Many wished Fairuz good health and well-being, noting that her birthday passed without her son, who had always been an integral part of her life and shared a deep spiritual bond with her. Fairuz's artistic career spans nearly seven decades, and her musical works continue to attract a wide audience from different generations, especially in the mornings, when her songs have become part of the daily ritual for many. Fairuz collaborated with her son Ziad Rahbani for approximately 37 years, from 1973 to 2010, a period that saw the creation of many distinguished works. Despite intermittent disagreements, their artistic relationship was always unique and rich. Among their most prominent collaborative works, which marked a significant milestone in the history of Lebanese and Arabic music, are the albums 'How Are You' and 'In My Heart', as well as the 'Beiteddine' concerts held in 2000, which combined the magic of Fairuz's voice with Ziad's innovative vision, making them important milestones in the history of Arabic music.
