The death of the Lebanese musician and playwright Ziad Rahbani, aged 69, continues to cast a heavy shadow over the Arab artistic and cultural scene, amid deep shock and sorrow among his fans and admirers.

Since the announcement of the passing of the genius composer, activists on social media have been sharing a photo of him inside a hospital with his doctor, said to have been taken during his final days, which has only intensified the pain of his farewell.

Born on January 1, 1956, Ziad Rahbani is the son of the iconic Arab singer Fairuz and the great late composer Assi Rahbani.

He grew up in an extraordinary musical household but quickly forged his own path to become one of the most prominent innovators in Arabic music and satirical political theater.

A Unique Artistic Style

Rahbani was distinguished by his style that blended traditional Eastern melodies with influences from jazz and Western music, establishing a new musical school that influenced an entire generation of artists. In theater, his works reflected Lebanese and Arab realities through bold approaches and sharp critiques wrapped in dark humor.

Unforgettable Stances

Ziad Rahbani was also a candid political voice, adopting leftist ideology and using his art as a platform to express his opposition to war, injustice, and oppression. He never hesitated to delve into the issues facing the Arab individual, giving his work a memorable humanistic and social dimension.

The passing of Ziad Rahbani represents not just the loss of an artist, but the departure of a critical and creative voice that shaped part of the Arab cultural and political consciousness for decades