Born in 1986, Aline grew up in an artistic family: her mother Salwa Katrib is a famous singer, her father Nahi Lahoud a well-known producer and her uncle Romeo Lahoud, one of the most famous musical directors and composers in the Arab world.
19 years later, Aline Lahoud will be on stage of the Eurovision Song Contest, representing Lebanon in its first participation. Aline will be singing Quand tout s'enfuit, a song written by Jad Rahbani and Romeo Lahoud. To get to know them better, esctoday.com had an interview with Aline Lahoud and Jad Rahbani.
Aline Lahoud to Kiev...
How come Aline Lahoud will be representing Lebanon at the Eurovision Song Contest?
Jad: Well, Aline has great talent and she represented Lebanon at the Mediterranean Song Contest last year in Turkey where she had great success. The participants in Megahit and the organizers were impressed by her talent and very nice character. Since Aline won the Fidof prize, Télé Liban and the committee in Lebanon thought that she was placed best to represent our country in its first Eurovision Song Contest participation.
What was your reaction when you were approached to represent Lebanon? Did you watch the Eurovision Song Contest before? Do you have any favourite songs, singers or memories?
Aline: When I heard that I was going to represent my country in the Eurovision Song Contest, I felt scared and happy as well. The Eurovision Song Contest is one of my biggest dreams. I have surely watched this big contest before and I still remember when Italy won in 1990. Insieme by Toto Cutugno was my favourite.
In December last year, Télé Liban suddenly announced to withdraw from a participation. Can you explain what happened and how it all turned out well in the end?
Jad: We are not the right people to answer this question. I think Télé Liban is better placed to answer this and actually we don't really know what happened. But we are happy that everything turned out well and that we are in.
In September 2004 you represented Lebanon in Megahit with the song It's over, written by Jad Rahbani. Do you feel like, beside being a singer, also being an ambassador for your country?
Aline: When I went to Turkey to participate in Megahit 2004, it was a big responsibility. Representing my country made me a kind of ambassador and it helped me in discovering new cultures. This experience was great and I will always remember it...
Quand tout s'enfuit...
Jad, you have have composed Aline's song for the Eurovision Song Contest in Kiev. Are you Aline's personal composer?
Jad: I began working with Aline since Megahit where she participated with the song It's over, but I am not Aline's exclusive composer. Though, we are planning hopefully to do a cd together in 2005 or 2006.
What's the title of the song Aline will be singing in Kiev and in which language will it be sung?
Jad: Aline will sing it in French. As you know, French is our second language and Lebanon is one of the leaders in the Francophonie. Aline likes singing in French a lot so I want her to be 'à l'aise' as we say it in French. The song is entitled Quand tout s'enfuit. I have made the composition and the arrangements. The lyrics have been written by Romeo Lahoud.
Does Quand tout s'enfuit reflect the Lebanese culture?
Jad: Like Aline said before, Lebanon has different cultures, especially in music. Lebanon has won many prizes in different languages and music styles in a lot of festivals around the world since 1960. Quand tout s'enfuit has an international style but still it has a Lebanese and oriental flavor about it.
When and how will you present your song to the Lebanese and international people for the first time?
Jad: We will be presenting the song soon in different TV shows in Lebanon. And hopefully we will be trying to promote the song in Europe, especially in France...
Aline, on 19th May you'll be the first ever Lebanese singer in the Eurovision Song Contest. How big is the pressure to make a good impression to the world or to reach the final of the contest?
Aline: 19th May will be a date to remember for me if I will be selected. It is of course a big pressure when you know that the whole world will be watching you. It seems to be as exciting as it is scary. But my faith in God will help me and I will do my best to show my talent and to make the people of my country proud of me.
Lebanon and the Eurovision Song Contest...
Lebanon is brand new in the Eurovision Song Contest and for many of our visitors a rather undiscovered country. What would you definitely want our visitors to know about your country?
Aline: Lebanon is a very small country in Asia. Lebanon has various cultures: a mixture of oriental and occidental cultures. In Lebanon we speak at least three languages which are usually Arabic, French and English. The thing that is so special is that in Lebanon the mountains are close to the sea. I think you should visit us some day!!!
Suppose that you win the Eurovision Song Contest. Do you think Lebanon would be ready to organise the contest in 2006? Do the Lebanese people care about the contest and does it get attention in the Lebanese media?
Jad: I think Lebanon is ready to organise the Eurovision Song Contest, technicaly and media wise. Lebanese people adore music and the Eurovision Song Contest is very well known and watched in Beirut since the seventies.
Esctoday.com kindly thanks Aline Lahoud and Jad Rahbani for the interview and wishes them good luck in Kiev!
Aline: I would like to thank you for being interested in knowing me and I want to thank all those who are encouraging me. See you soon in Kiev I hope!
Jad: I thank you for the interview. Always listen to music with your heart and if music were the language of people, peace would have conquered the world!
