Lina Shamamian to Al-Rai: "For Syria"... A Message of Hope That Brings Us Together Again Through Music
Syrian artist Lina Shamamyan has revealed details about her new album, “For Syria,” which was released today. The project reinterprets a selection of prominent historical Syrian and Arab anthems through a contemporary musical lens, aiming to evoke collective memory and instill hope after years of war.
In an interview with “Al-Rai,” Shamamyan explained, “I created this album, which features four tracks, because we need something to bring us together again, and after a long war, we need to feel hope. Sometimes, when we feel lost in the present and afraid of the future, we want to return to the past and listen to stories from those who came before us and what they endured, so we can learn from them and understand what they said.”
She added, “My selection of works was not random; it was based on their historical value and the humanitarian and patriotic messages they carry. The album includes a reinterpretation of the poem ‘Fi Sabeel al-Majd’ (In the Path of Glory) by poet Omar Abu Risha, set to music by the Falafel brothers. This song resurfaced in recent years after being widely adopted as the interim national anthem of Syria.”
Shamamyan noted that “what is beautiful about this poem and its lyrics is that they call for holding fast to dignity and freedom, and emphasize that love for the homeland is worth sacrifice and steadfastness in the face of adversity. It portrays the sons of the homeland as people of unwavering resolve who do not accept humiliation or surrender, expressing pride in the country’s history and beauty, and calling for a bright future built on courage, unity, and honor.” She pointed out that “its overarching message affirms that glory is achieved through patience, sacrifice, and working for the homeland, not through submission or despair. Therefore, I felt it still speaks to the Syrian conscience today.”
She continued, “The album also includes the anthem ‘Dhat al-Majd’ (Of Glory), written by Mukhtar al-Tanir and composed by the Falafel brothers. It is one of the earliest national anthems in Syria, written in 1919 and adopted as the anthem of the Syrian Kingdom in 1920. For me, this anthem carries a great deal of pride in Syria’s history, glorifying courage, sacrifice, and the unity of the nation’s people. Therefore, it was important for it to reach new generations with a fresh voice that preserves its spirit.”
Shamamyan added, “I also selected ‘Watani’ (My Homeland), with lyrics by Palestinian poet Ibrahim Touqan and music by Muhammad Falafel, because it is not merely a national song but has become an Arab symbol that transcends the borders of a single state since its composition in 1934. It expresses values of freedom, belonging, and dignity shared by all people in the region.”
Regarding the most personal experience in creating the album, she said, “I revived the anthem ‘Syria, My Homeland,’ which was the first anthem of the Syrian Kingdom under King Faisal I in 1920. The lyrics were by Maronite Bishop Epiphanius Zaid, and the music was composed by musician Dimitri al-Mar. It was sung at the time by the Aleppo singer Ahmad al-Faqash. However, the original melody was not available to me, so I returned to the anthems of that era and tried to imagine what the melody might have been, then composed a new one inspired by the spirit of that period, ensuring this historical work remains alive and reaches the contemporary listener.”
Shamamyan considered her goal for the album “not merely to perform known anthems, but to reinterpret them within an artistic vision that preserves their historical value and gives them new life.” She added, “I wanted ‘For Syria’ to be a space for both memory and hope, reminding us that art is always capable of preserving identity and bringing people together around values of dignity, love, and belonging, regardless of the circumstances.”
