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3. 'Líbano: a flor do mundo' — Brazilian Artists Bring Lebanese Hope Back to Life

In tribute to Lebanon’s legendary resilience, Brazilian artists transform Je rêve d’un Liban by Wissam Tabet into Líbano: a flor do mundo, a vibrant Brazilian rendition. This solidarity-driven musical project celebrates identity and rekindles hope beyond borders.  

In the history of international cultural relations, some connections transcend geographical distances. The bond between Lebanon and Brazil is one of them — deep and shaped by decades of migration and exchange. With over eight million people of Lebanese descent, Brazil is home to one of the largest Lebanese diasporas in the world. This massive presence has woven unbreakable ties between the two nations, creating an invisible yet powerful bridge across the Atlantic.

It is on this fertile ground that a unique musical initiative was born. The song Je rêve d’un Liban, composed by Wissam Tabet after the catastrophic Beirut port explosion in 2020, found an unexpected echo in Brazil. Originally performed with students from the Collège des Saints Cœurs Sioufi, the song captured the soul of a Lebanese youth yearning for independence and renewal. Today, it is reborn under the title Líbano: a flor do mundo (Lebanon: The Flower of the World), carried by the voices and instruments of renowned Brazilian musicians.

A Symphony of Talent in the Name of Solidarity

Miguel Mahfoud is the architect of this musical metamorphosis. Deeply moved by the fate of the Land of the Cedars, he orchestrated an ambitious artistic collaboration. The translation and adaptation of the lyrics were entrusted to Marco Aur, who managed to preserve the essence of the original message while infusing it with Brazilian sensibilities. “We wanted to maintain the soul of the original composition while offering it a new and inspiring dimension,” says Wissam Tabet, who closely followed this cross-border creative process.

The strength of this project lies in the voluntary commitment of exceptional Brazilian artists. Alexandre Andrés, André Mehmari, Benjamim Temponi, Carolina Claret, Leonardo Clementine, Chico Lobo, Guto Temponi, Juliana Brandão, Marco Aur, Tatá Sympa and the Trio Amaranto combined their talents to bring this vision to life. Each contributed their own musical touch, subtly blending Lebanese traditions with Brazil’s warm rhythms.

Tatá Sympa, the project’s musical director and mixer, ensured that the interpretation retained the emotional power of the original. “Music has this unique ability to communicate beyond language barriers. Our version expresses both the suffering and the unyielding hope of the Lebanese people,” he passionately explains.

Visual storytelling also plays a key role in this artistic endeavor. Lebanese photographer Kamil al-Rayes generously contributed his striking images of Lebanon to accompany the music. His photographs — capturing both the country’s timeless beauty and its recent scars — enrich the narrative and anchor the work in tangible reality.

More Than a Tribute — A Testament to Hope

This collective creation goes beyond mere homage. It represents an act of faith in Lebanon’s future — a country battered by successive crises, be they economic, political or social. Here, music becomes a vehicle of hope, reminding us that rebuilding also means strengthening a national identity often put to the test.

The dissemination of Líbano: a flor do mundo perfectly illustrates the project’s spirit. Available for free on YouTube and Vimeo, and shared through the hashtags #libanoaflordomundo and #lebanonfloweroftheworld, the song circulates freely on social media. This open approach ensures that both the Lebanese diaspora and the wider Brazilian and international audience can connect with it, creating a digital chain of solidarity.

Although the lyrics have been translated into Portuguese, they retain the evocative strength of the original text. They resonate as a powerful call to remember, rise again and rebuild — a particularly poignant message at a time when Lebanon struggles daily to preserve its unity and identity against internal and external challenges.

For the Lebanese community in Brazil, this project represents much more than a simple musical adaptation. It symbolizes a bridge between their adopted homeland and their roots — a way to contribute from afar to their country’s healing. “We all have a role to play in preserving our heritage and supporting Lebanon. Music allows us to remind our Lebanese brothers and sisters that they are not alone,” says Marco Aur with emotion.

A Path for Future Collaborations

The success of this initiative is already paving the way for similar collaborations. The artists involved, deeply touched by this enriching experience, are ready to continue the journey and expand their message of peace and unity.

Líbano: a flor do mundo beautifully illustrates how art can transcend borders to forge genuine bonds of solidarity. In the notes of this traveling melody lies the hope of a Lebanon that, despite the storms, continues to bloom and inspire the world. A song born from the pain of Beirut, transformed in Brazil, and now belonging to all who believe in the unwavering strength of the Lebanese spirit.

To discover this French-Brazilian musical masterpiece and support its message of hope, the video for Líbano: a flor do mundo is available on YouTube.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/-yZASna0XjY?si=SBAWrA9LWqLJPyf4