Times When Fairuz Was Internationally Recognized and Loved
Fairuz, Lebanon’s most iconic signer, has found love both at home and abroad. Her magnificent career has been recognized from Beirut to Paris to Las Vegas, and she holds awards and merits that would be the envy of many. In this article, we chronicle some of the achievements and praise the singer has accumulated throughout her storied journey.
Lebanon’s presidents have had quite the appreciation for Fairuz, showering her with the highest medals of the republic. Her first national award came during the reign of President Camile Chamoun, who awarded her with the Cavalier Order Medal of Honour. She would go on to receive the Order of Merit and Order of Cedars during the term of President Fouad Chehab. Her final presidential award was the Legion of Honour under President Suliman Frangieh.
Outside of Lebanon, King Hussein of Jordan has shown quite an affinity for Fairuz’s voice, showering her with a Medal of Honour (1963), Gold Medal of Honour (1975), and Highest Distinction (1998).
She was awarded the Key to the Holy City of Jerusalem and the Jerusalem Award by the city’s Palestinian committees.
French presidents have also recognized her grandeur, with President François Mitterrand awarding her the Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres in 1988. This was followed by the Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur from President Jacques Chirac in 1998. Twelve years later, President Emmanuel Macron came personally to Fairuz’s home in 2020 to award her his own Légion d’honneur.
In 1999, Las Vegas welcomed Fairuz lavishly to the city, declaring upon her arrival that this day would be known as “Fairuz Day” and handing her a key to the city.
The same year, Fairuz performed at the United Nations in Geneva to celebrate the 56th anniversary of the signing of the four Geneva agreements. Fairuz sang The Land is Yours at the invitation of the International Red Cross.
Fairuz has sold more than 80 million records worldwide, and is one of the premiere voices of the 20th century. A voice so good it cost Madonna $2.5 million to sample. On this day, let’s take a step back and admire her wonderful career.
