In a country with few noteworthy female vocalists, the young Shatha Hassoun, or as Iraqis like to call her, the “Girl from Mesopotamia,” has a voice that warms the hearts of the people of Baghdad. Like Afifa Iskandar, Sita Hakobian, Farida, and others, she brought her country’s name and flag to stages across Europe and the Middle East, singing of a country that she had yet to see.
Twice, she has brought pride to the Iraqi nation. When she won Lebanon’s Star Academy 4 talent show in 2007, she allowed her fellow citizens to briefly forget the daily bloodshed on the streets of Iraq. In July, she finally visited Baghdad to perform two emotional live concerts at the Al-Alwiya Club on the eastern bank of the Tigris and the famed Nadi Al-Seid concert arena. The latter show was preceded by a press conference, which the artist, her tour organiser, Hakim Al-Kobeisi, and her Lebanese entourage attended.
Shatha did not hesitate when offered the opportunity to sing in Baghdad. Her agent told the press that she had “had an emotional moment as the plane approached the city and she saw it for the first time.”
For her part, Shatha said, “I am happy to be in my country and among my beloved people. For the last two years, I would often hear of people saying, ‘When is Shatha coming?’ I was waiting for an opportunity to come to Baghdad. Now, I am among my friends, relatives and supporters.”
Shatha said that she hoped her visit would encourage other Arab artists to come to Baghdad and added that she would urge them to do so.
She currently plans to film a music video in Baghdad and hopes to collaborate with Iraqi composers, including Mohammed Jawad Amouri, with whom she has already had several meetings. Her work with Amouri was delayed by the recent filming of the mini-series, “Letters from a Dead Man.” Shatha also hopes to work with Iraqi musician Kadhum Al-Saher. She said, “I was one of his biggest fans before becoming a singer myself.”
Following the press conference, a smiling Shatha serenaded her fans with a variety of love songs and patriotic ballads, including a subtle rendition of ‘Baghdad’ that received an unprecedented emotional response from the audience. Many politicians, media figures and local celebrities were there to hear her, in addition to embassy staff and other foreign personnel.
Shatha Hassoun was born in 1982 in Casablanca, Morocco to an Iraqi father from Hella and a Moroccan mother. For many years, she has divided her time between Morocco and France. In 2007, she won Star Academy 4, becoming the first female vocalist to win the Arab talent show.
source: www.centralasiaonline.com
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