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Pascale Ojeil, a mezzo-soprano and activist, instrumental in initiating the twinning projects between Byblos and Bonifacio, as well as between the Cedars of Chouf and the Corsican National Park, has recently released a new song titled Cedrus Libani. Written by Alain di Meglio and composed by Bruno Sussini, this song serves as a message of peace and love from Corsica to Lebanon. The interview explores the stance and perspective of this Lebanese singer, known for her velvety voice.
Invited to perform with the Corsican group Attalla at the citadel of Bonifacio, Pascale Ojeil, who has adopted Corsica as her home, was honored with the city medal of Bonifacio by Mayor Jean-Charles Orsucci and his deputy, Alain Di Meglio. Ojeil’s contribution is primarily rooted in her love for Lebanon and the ancient Corsican language, which she has learned and now sings. In her song Cedrus Libani, the Lebanese symbol of tenacity and resistance is elevated through poignant poetic language, accompanied by the enchanting music of the harp and the oriental flute. The visuals strikingly draw a parallel between the dense forests of cedar trees and Ojeil’s long, rebellious hair, intertwining like branches in a symbol of solidarity. The secret message conveyed through the lyrics, music and imagery is one of unity and resilience. The content of the mezzo-soprano’s commitment is deeply intertwined with her artistic expression, reflecting her dedication to both her Lebanese heritage and her Corsican influences.
What is the message that you are conveying through this new song?
The message conveyed through this new song primarily aims to present the true image of Lebanon, showcasing its natural beauty and cultural richness. This is particularly relevant in the current context, where Lebanon’s identity is significantly distorted under Hezbollah’s dominance, transitioning from a progressive country to a regressive one. Additionally, the song highlights the love of Corsicans for Lebanon, especially at a time when the world seems to have abandoned Lebanon. There’s a sense of abandonment by France, despite high hopes placed on President Macron’s support. The Corsicans understand Lebanon’s plight, as they have endured and continue to suffer in their quest for autonomy, including the suppression of their language, its use being limited to the meetings of the National Assembly.
How do the Corsicans express their empathy towards the Lebanese and their commitment to Lebanon?
After the explosion on August 4, they were among the first to send aid. They also expressed this through the twinning of Bonifacio with Byblos and the Chouf Cedars biosphere with the Corsican natural park. This was materialized through various cultural, gastronomic, and musical events. The twinning opened doors for me to initiate beneficial projects for Lebanon. For example, I mention the auction of paintings, photographs, and sculptures for the benefit of the Achrafieh 2020 association that took place last April in Ajaccio. Thanks to my friend, the sculptor Ange Felix, who wanted to offer his work representing the cedar of Lebanon made from recycled iron as a sign of solidarity, the idea of an auction was born. My friend, the renowned artist Pierre Farel, who orchestrated the event, mobilized about 30 Corsican artists with their 73 works. The sales amount, which rose to 20,000 euros, was fairly shared between the Corsican artists and the Lebanese association supporting families in distress. In fact, the Corsicans and Lebanese have many common denominators beyond the beauty of the landscapes and the mild climate. The Genoese, Pisans and Carthaginians invaded the island of beauty due to its geographical location. The same is true for the Lebanese, who pay the price for their location between belligerent and covetous neighbors. That’s why the Corsicans support our cause wholeheartedly.
How do they support us wholeheartedly? We primarily need support for the implementation of United Nations resolutions, particularly 1559 and 1701.
It’s important to remember that Corsica is a land of shepherds and pastures, where the economy is not a strong point, and they are currently negotiating with France to regain their autonomy, still depending on France in terms of executive and legislative powers. During the Lebanese war, they came to defend Lebanese sovereignty alongside Lebanese youth (the Phalangists), and many Corsicans lost their lives on our fronts. “Charity well ordered begins with oneself.” They are trying to help us with the means they have. This reminds me of the generosity of the widow’s offering mentioned by Jesus Christ in the Gospels, who gave the little money she had while the wealthy only gave their surplus.
How did the song Cedrus Libani, which you performed on television during the Independence Day celebration, come into being?
Alain Di Meglio, Deputy Mayor of Bonifacio and a renowned lyricist, wanted to commemorate the collaboration between the Lebanese and Corsican people following their dual twinning. Struck by the beauty and majesty of the cedars in the Chouf biosphere, he was inspired to write the moving song Cedrus Libani, as a tribute to Lebanon and its ancient cedars, in the Corsican language. The creation of Cedrus Libani was also made possible by the generosity of composer Bruno Susini, known for Hosanna in excelsis, which won the Eurovision for minority languages in 2008 in Sweden. I would also like to highlight the support of our mutual friend Robert Virgitti, who initiated the involvement of François-Xavier Ceccoli, president of the Republicans of Upper Corsica, as a patron. The project was realized through collaboration in Paris, Prague, Spain and Lebanon. The unwavering support of Ceccoli enabled me to perform an unprecedented patriotic song. The Energis Libani association and the Chouf Cedars Biosphere also provided significant logistical support for this project. I was assisted by artist friends, including arranger and sound engineer Laurent Binder, conductor Vartan Agopian and filmmaker Marie-Rose Osta. Jauffrey Faustini, Adonis Hakim and Karl Yazbeck also supported my efforts to bring this project to fruition.
At Byblos, you concluded your performance with these lines from the Corsican national anthem Dio Di Salvi Regina, addressed to Our Lady, “over our enemies, grant us victory and then eternal glory in paradise.” This is an exhortation directed by Lebanese of all faiths to the Virgin Mary. Has the Virgin heard your prayer, ours?
People overwhelmed by disasters have become apathetic. However, in my opinion, achieving a miracle through prayer alone, without taking any action, is inconceivable and unattainable. One cannot invoke miraculous help without truly working and contributing with all their might to its realization. Furthermore, a segment of the Lebanese population is affiliated with Iran.
What are the activities that took place following the twinning between Bonifacio and Byblos, and the Cedars of Chouf with the Corsican natural park?
It’s challenging to list them all, but here are a few. Thanks to Alain Di Meglio, Lebanon was the only foreign country invited to the grand gastronomic event “Arte e gusto” in Bonifacio in April 2023, sponsored by Pierre Hermé, with guests including Guillaume Gomez, the French ambassador of gastronomy and starred chefs. I attended with the official delegation from Byblos, led by the Mayor of Byblos, who was to meet his counterpart in Bonifacio as part of the twinning. Regarding the activities of the twinned biospheres, the Chouf delegation, which I was part of, was invited and royally received by the Corsicans to prepare for subsequent exchanges. The Mayor of Bastia made available to me the large theater of the municipality of Bastia (the largest in all of Corsica, known as the old opera) and took care of the logistics and a working team for a concert in favor of Lebanon. The emblematic group A Filletta was also mobilized, and our voices blended in Corsican, Arabic and Syriac in an unforgettable concert. In April 2024, invited by the Regional Center for University and School Works (CROUS), linked to the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, I am giving a lecture at the University Pascal Paoli on the relationships, exchanges and similarities between Corsica and Lebanon.
As a committed artist, what is your current stance regarding the Gaza war, and how should we act to protect our country?
War is a barbarity that claims the lives of innocent people, tears apart families and harms children. To protect Lebanon, we must demand neutrality. Lebanon has already paid a heavy price for others. It’s not out of lack of solidarity with the Palestinians, who should reclaim their land, but it is just that we neither have the financial capability nor the strength to wage war after 50 years of bloody battles. Add to this that the majority of our youth are expatriates. Besides, why should Lebanon be the only one to defend the Palestinian cause? We categorically refuse to allow Lebanon to be used as a platform to launch missiles or make war threats.
In your view, who are the committed Lebanese artists?
Magida el-Roumi is committed to the country’s sovereignty. She never misses an opportunity to proclaim it loudly, and her patriotic songs are numerous. Generally, artists are afraid of losing fans or disappointing a part of their audience. Therefore, I find her stance quite courageous. Unfortunately, I don’t know many others who do the same.
The cedar is a unifying national symbol of Lebanon and represents perpetuity and greatness. One can understand the fascination of the writer Alain Di Meglio with it.
Indeed, the cedars of Lebanon are extensively mentioned in the writings of the Sumerians from the third millennium BC. The Epic of Gilgamesh describes them as spanning, “a thousand leagues long and a thousand leagues wide.” The Phoenicians, settled along the coast of present-day Lebanon and in ancient cities like Byblos, Tyre and Sidon, used cedar wood to build their famous merchant ships, thus forming the first major maritime nation in the world. Later, the Babylonians, like the Egyptians, sought the cedars of Lebanon for the construction of the legendary city of Babylon. The Old Testament cites the cedars of Lebanon about a hundred times. It details how King Solomon ordered from King Hiram of Tyre vast quantities of cedar wood to build his temple and palace in Jerusalem. In the 6th century BC, the Persians controlled the Phoenician ports to build a naval fleet against their Greek enemy. In Alain Di Meglio’s text, translated into French and English, the story of the Lebanese cedar is told in a poignant style.
You have a very beautiful voice that you have dedicated to the Lebanese cause and to the love of Corsica and its language. Does this mean that you will no longer perform different themes or change your musical style?
I am deeply attuned to the events that unfold in my country. Since 2016, we have been enduring a continuous series of misfortunes, and the Corsican patriotic songs that I have dedicated to Lebanon adapt to the Lebanese situation and best express my feelings. Moreover, they particularly suit the range of my voice and come from deep within me. These songs often convey melancholy, pain, mutilated identity and revolt. They are also songs of love, focused on the relationship of human beings with the earth, roots and belonging. Unconsciously, I have made these songs my own, and they perfectly resonate with the essence of my commitment.
