Author: Bambi

Bravo to Mr. Amine Hachem, the MOST HIGHLY talented Lebanese-American “operatic and crossover tenor” (https://tinyurl.com/yc4t52xu) for the grandiose performance of his new Arabic love song. Of note, the latter was filmed at the Casino du Liban Theatre.

Following the song (subtitled in English), if you are curious, you can read the copied and pasted YouTube text informing us about this performance’s creators, along with the song lyrics in both Arabic and English.

When Bambi listened to the song, she was captivated and instantly transported to a VERY pleasant state of mind (like euphoria). The unique harmony between the music and the lyrics, along with some surprising milestones of the musical story, kept transporting her as follows: from grandiose musical moments, to lighter ones, and back to more solemn moments. Indeed, she found herself too focused on the powerful words and the great music, then clapping hands to music, and even dancing in front of her computer screen in some “oriental” movements, along with a deep urge of Dabke dancing.

For those magical moments described above to the best of her capacity, many thanks to Mr. Hachem et al. for this masterpiece. Most significantly, many thanks for spreading beauty, talent, and love in our troubled world!

“COMPOSED BY: AMiNE HACHEM & BRIAN HOLMAN – LYRICS: BY FADIA SKAF HACHEM.

DIRECTED BY: ANDREW J. HACHEM

PRODUCED BY: CLAIREMINE OPUS

EXCECUTIVE PRODUCER: AMiNE HACHEM

FILMED AT: CASINO DU LIBAN THEATRE

PERFORMED BY: NATIONAL PHILHARMONIC OF UKRAINE AND UKRAINIAN RADIO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

CONDUCTOR: VOLODYMYR SHEIKO

UKRAINE NATIONAL OPERA CHORUS

ORCHESTRATOR: BRIAN HOLMAN

PIANO: BRIAN HOLMAN

SOLO VIOLIN: MARIO RAHI

ARABIC PERCUSSION: RAYMOND HAGE

LATIN PERCUSSION: GILBERT MANSOUR

ELECTRIC BASS: MIKE FORFIA

ARABIC CHOIR RECORDED AT: STUDIO RAY HAGE

ORCHESTRAL RECORDING ENGINEER: MAKSYM HLADETSKYY – KYIV

ORCHESTRAL RECORDING PRODUCED BY: JEAN BALCHION

PIANO RECORDING ENGINEER: DAVID ARANA

VOCAL RECORDING ENGINEER:

JASON SCHWEITZER – ELEMENTAL RECORDING LOS ANGELES

SOUND EDITOR: GHASSAN ABDELNOUR

MIXING AND MASTERING ENGINEER: XAVIER ESCABASSE – JMR STUDIOS

RECORD PRODUCED BY: GHASSAN ABDELNOUR

CREATIVE DIRECTOR: JANESSA LEONE

PRODUCTION DESIGNER: ELIE ZEIDAN

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: BASMA FARHAT

LINE PRODUCER: ANTHONY KHAWAND

PRODUCTION TEAM: JOSEPH AOUN, RONI KHAN, MAY ABDALLAH

SUPPLIER: 360 DEGREES – BERNARD SFEIR

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: RACHEL NOJA

FOCUS PULLER: RAWAD SAAD

GAFFER: MAHDI DABBOUS

ASSISTANT LIGHTING: HASSAN KHODR

ASSISTANT CAMERA: HADI HAZIME

STEADICAM: MAHMOUD LABBAN

LUMA OPERATOR: ELIE MATAR

LUMA TECHNICIAN: RABIH CHAHINE

LIGHT DESIGNER: TONY SAFI

COLORIST: ZIAD MALLA – DEDICA POST

VFX: EDDY FARAH

GRAPHICS: CHARBEL HATEM

SCREEN OPERATORS: ELIO SABBAGH – CHARBEL NAHED

PLAYBACK: HADEEL KEBREET

CATERING: EKHET MANKOUSHE

MAKING OF & PHOTOGRAPHY: ALEC KARAKASHIAN

HAIR: MEN’S CUT BY TONY SALIBA – ANTHONY DAGHER

MAKEUP: FARAH EL SAYED

FILMING ORCHESTRA: RAMZI KANDALAFT – FAWZI ARANAOUT – GIOVANI NAHAS – NAGI SALAMEH – LESLY HADDAD – MAJED SALAMEH – ELIABELLE HANNA – GRACIA EL MURR – TONY RIZK – MAYANE SAMARANI – ACQUILINA AOUN – CHARBEL RAHME – LEA NACHAR – RAFCA KHALIL – CATHERINE CHAIBAN – FRANCOIS MOUBAYED – LARA HANNA – SARY KANDALAFT – RAFK EL RAHI – GHADY MEZHER – ELISSA MEZHER – ROMY RAHI – DANY ATTALLAH – HADY ATTALLAH – SANDRA ABBOUD

FILMING CHOIR: GHASSAN SAKR – ABDO HABIB – MURIELLE DAGHER – ELIE NACHAR – EMILE RIZK – JOYCE YOUSSEF – MARIA SLEIMAN – CHRISTINA SELIMAN

DEDICATED TO: ELIAS & RAZAN BADDOUR

SPECIAL THANKS

JOHN HACHEM

PAGE LUCKY

EMILE AND NICOLE SUCCAR

IRA SIFF

ROLAND KHOURY

LARA HAFEZ

EDWARD MAFOUD

JAD ELIAS

GHASSAN HADIDI

GUS SLEIMAN

MARTY JEIVEN

GHASSAN SAKR

OMAR RAHBANY

KARIM RAHBANI

RABIH BAROUD

BASSAM CHALLITA

NICHOLAS HAYEK

JESSY JLEILATY

ZEINA FARES

ROY ELKHOURY

ELIOTT SPIRO KHOURY

MAROUN RAHY

ANDREW MONHEIM – MONHEIM MICROPHONES

MAYSSA AYOUB

FADI BOU KHALIL

RICARDO AZAR

GABY ZGHEIB

SALIM HABR

MICHEL NICOLAS

DEAN JOHNSON

EDDY JAZRA

RALPH SAWMA

PARTNERS: CASINO DU LIBAN & NN RENT A CAR

© 2025 CLAIREMINE OPUS INC.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

ARABIC | ENGLISH LYRICS

رماني قدري على ضفافِ العمر Fate cast me upon the shores of life,

زادني ألقهُ وهجاً وكِبَر its radiance awakened my light and ennobled my spirit.

أنا مَن أنا يا حبيبتي؟ Who am I, my love?

أنا الذي ناداني حبُّكِ I am the one your love has summoned,

أنا الذي ناداني حبُّكِ the one it chose,

وكان صاحبَ الأمر and I surrender to its will.

غنّاكِ القلبُ شداكِ الحب My heart sings to you, whispered by love,

يا مُنّةَ العينِ يا فرحةَ العمر desire of my eyes, joy of my life.

خَطَفْتُكِ أميرة على عرشِ قلبي I claimed you, ruler of my heart.

أنتِ فرحتي وبهجتي You are my joy, the song within me.

بحبِّكِ أُقسِم ألفَ ولاء By my love for you, I swear a thousand vows.

ستبقينَ أُنشودةَ عمري You will remain the anthem of my life (my eternal refrain).

غنّاكِ القلبُ شدّاكِ الحب My heart sings to you, whispered by love,

يا مُنّةَ العينِ يا فرحةَ العمر desire of my eyes, joy of my life.

أُنشودةَ قلبي O hymn of my heart,

لهيبَ شوقي fire of my yearning,

أميرةَ عرشي ruler of my being,

حبيبتي my beloved.

أُنشودةَ قلبي O hymn of my heart,

لهيبَ شوقي fire of my yearning,

أميرةَ عرشي ruler of my being,

حبيبتي my beloved.

Connect with Amine on:

Facebook:   / tenoraminejhachem 

Instagram:   / aminehachem 

X: https://x.com/aminejhachem

Website: https://aminejhachem.com/

Listen to Amine Hachem on all digital platforms:

https://aminehachem.lnk.to/Platforms

© Digital Distribution:    / @chabakaofficial 

https://chabaka.bio.to/Contactus

#Amine_Hachem

#Ghannaki_Al_Qalb”

Many thanks to Canada’s veterans and members of the armed forces at all times, of war and peace, for their devoted service. To honour them, this post shares (1) a two-minute-long YouTube Crosscut Films video entitled “Their Dedication, Our Freedom – Remembrance Day 2025“; and (2) a song, entitled “Canadian Veteran“, composed and performed by Mr. Roger Crowder. A heartfelt double thank you to Crosscut Films for its beautiful tribute and to Mr. Crowder (a former veteran) for his lovely and timely song.

Thanks to veterans and to their families! Merci aux vétérans et à leurs familles!

Bravo to Ms. Hiba Tawaji. What a gifted singer! For your convenience, an English translation of the Lebanese-Arabic lyrics of her song, which is about lovers in the fall season, can be found at this link: https://tinyurl.com/58kts6cy . May music, love, beauty, peace, Joy, and prosperity prevail in Ms. Tawaji’s volatile yet charming country. Same wishes from Bambi to all the countries of the world, including Canada.

Lebanon’s catch 22 is getting worrisome: the Iran-backed Lebanese Hezbollah continues to refuse its disarmament and “political negotiations” with Israel (https://tinyurl.com/348jt827) while the latter warns that it “would strike Beirut if army fails to disarm Hezbollah” (https://tinyurl.com/bddszvh2).

Sadly, Israel is currently intensifying its strikes on Lebanon (https://tinyurl.com/3dabcrpe), which has been condemned today by the European union (https://tinyurl.com/3dabcrpe).

As for Hezbollah, it still does not seem to be willing or capable of admitting its strategic military mistake, that led to defeat. Ironically, the latter brought back not just war, but also occupation. Why can’t Hezbollah throw in the towel, eventually rising over its wounds and learning to renew itself as a political force only, that is without its weapons?

Indeed, according to Al Manar (Hezbollah’s media), a recent open letter addressed to the Lebanese government and people, authored by the so-called “Islamic resistance”, known as the Hezbollah (“Party of God” in Arabic), concluded as follows: “We pledge to our proud people that we will remain steadfast in our position of honor and righteousness, neither wavering nor retreating, as long as there is occupation and aggression on our land, and as long as the pulse of resistance beats in our hearts—a resistance that knows no defeat” (https://tinyurl.com/sjauu37h).

Of note, Mr. Salam courageously responded to the open letter in question by reminding us all that: “only the state is authorized to make decisions on war and peace” (https://tinyurl.com/348jt827.

Given all the above, one cannot help not to wonder what is next for Lebanon. Only time will tell. Until then, and since Bambi is holding her breath out of solidarity with her birth country and her loved ones there, how about ending this post on a musical note as usual?

Music is universal and Mr. Leonard Cohen’s lasting legacy is international (https://tinyurl.com/y8yzhujt). Indeed, his “Hallelujah” is performed below in both Arabic and English by Ms. Abeer Nehme from Lebanon (https://tinyurl.com/yzpx5mft). She is an incredibly gifted singer in any language. May the memory of Bambi’s mom and of Mr. Cohen be eternal, today more than ever. Same wishes for the memory of all your loved ones, dear readers. Take good care and have a good one.

No place of worship should be the target of violence.

No ethno-religious group should be intimidated.

Indeed, the community of Jewish Torontonians of the North York Kehillat Shaarei Torah’s synagogue deserve to live without fear and be safe at all times (https://tinyurl.com/y4whrduj).

By extension, every single Canadian of Jewish heritage deserves to feel safe in his province or territory.

As citizens and decision-makers, what can each one of us do to protect each other? All of us, hand in hand, denouncing this unacceptable social and criminal violence.

Every morning, between 7:45 and 8 AM, Bambi parks her car by a construction site in her small town of Sackville in New Brunswick, Canada. While walking by two construction sites, she sees the constructor workers devoted to their job tasks.

Construction workers are known to start their day very early. Of note, the weather has changed recently and it is getting cooler, especially in the early morning.

Bambi has always been impressed by how tough and courageous Canadian construction workers are. For now, the temperature is around (+ or -) 0 °C. However, soon it will likely be way below the latter. Mind you, in certain parts of our wide and beautiful Canada, some often work non-urgently at or below -12°C. Some have to work in urgent conditions at much lower temperatures, of course with safety measures in place.

According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), “at very cold temperatures, the most serious concern is the risk of hypothermia or dangerous overcooling of the body. Another serious effect of cold exposure is frostbite or freezing of the exposed extremities such as fingers, toes, nose, and ears. Hypothermia could be fatal in absence of immediate medical attention” (https://tinyurl.com/379n52me).

Of note, Occupational Health and Safety regulations differ by province and territory. Many of the latter don’t specify a precise minimum temperature for stopping work. However, as a rule of thumb, it seems common practice to recommend stopping emergency work at or below -43 °C.

The paragraphs above addressed the challenge of the cold temperature. Let’s not forget that there are hazardous occupations and specific tasks within the construction field. Given the latter and the weather conditions, too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer, Canadian constructor workers are heroes. Thanks to them and bravo!

Is there anything more magical than this performance of “Plus bleu que tes yeux”? What a beautiful way for Bambi to end a long working day filled with sinusitis-related pain.

As a reminder, this love song’s music and lyrics were composed by the late yet eternal Charles Aznavour. It was originally performed by Ms. Édith Piaf and Mr. Aznavour.

Those of you who regularly read this blog may recall that Bambi is a loyal fan of Mr. Mike Massy from Lebanon. Today, she came across Ms. Manel Mallat for the first time. Wow. What a talented Carthage (Tunisia) born Lebanese-French singer, songwriter, and actress.

Long live music in general, French music in particular, and… LOVE in all its forms and shapes :)!

Before booking her recent quick last trip to Beirut, Bambi asked her sister Roula (journalist) about the situation in Lebanon. She understood from her that it is hard to predict what was going to happen (or not).

Regarding the same question of whether Israel is preparing for a new war against Lebanon, here is a thoughtful brief short video by Mr. Anthony Samarani (posted on YouTube 9 days ago) addressing this timely issue. Beyond his current video, Bambi wants to repeat once again that she has the utmost respect for Mr. Samrani’s work. What an outstanding journalist and editor. Bravo to him and to the entire l’Orient Le Jour for the continuity of excellence [of course, this includes Roula’s inspiring work :)].

Anyhow, Bambi took the time to transcribe the short French-speaking video in question. She then asked her good friend, Mr. Google Translate, for his assistance with the English translation. For your convenience, dear readers, you can find Mr. Samrani’s translated text as well as his original French message at the end of the video.

With much love, this post ends with best wishes to Lebanon. Enough of wars. Enough of dark days. May safety, peace, forgiveness, healing, love, and prosperity prevail not just in the Land of Cedars, but also in all the countries of the world.

Mr. Anthony Samrani’s translated insights:

“Drones are once again flying low over Beirut. The south is being heavily bombed. And the question that haunted us for months last year is back on everyone’s lips: Is Israel preparing another attack against Lebanon?

The farewell message from US Special Envoy Tom Barrack had the merit of being very clear: Lebanon is not doing enough to disarm Hezbollah. And if it doesn’t fulfill its mission, Israel will do it in its place.

Is a new war necessarily imminent? We must remain very cautious, especially since we don’t have all the information. However, we can assume that Israel would have an interest today in intensifying its bombing campaign, without however entering into a formal war.

Israel’s situation is indeed very comfortable today. It can bomb wherever and whenever it wants, without retaliation from Hezbollah and with the general indifference of the international community. A significant intensification of strikes could thus allow it to send a strong message to the Shiite militia and the Lebanese authorities, without provoking the potential displeasure of the Trump administration, which does not want a new conflict in the Middle East, nor a possible retaliation from Hezbollah, which, if cornered, would eventually be forced to respond to Israeli attacks.

Israel’s objective seems quite clear: to complete the disarmament of Hezbollah and, at the very least, to secure a security agreement with Lebanon that is heavily in its favor. The question now is what Israel believes it needs to achieve these two objectives. Could it be content with a low-profile war, or does it necessarily believe it needs a high-intensity war or campaign?”

—

Mr. Anthony Samrani’s original insights in the French language:

« Les drones survolent à nouveau Beyrouth à basse altitude. Le Sud est massivement bombardé. Et cette question qui nous a hanté l’année dernière, pendant des mois, revient sur toutes les lèvres: Israël prépare-t-il une nouvelle attaque contre le Liban? 

Le message d’adieu de l’envoyé spécial Américain Tom Barrack avait le mérite d’être très claire: Le Liban ne fait pas assez dans le désarmement du Hezbollah. Et s’il ne remplit pas sa mission, Israël le fera à sa place.

Une nouvelle guerre était-elle alors nécessairement imminente? Il faut rester très prudent, d’autant plus que nous n’avons pas toutes les informations.On peut toutefois supposer qu’Israël aurait intérêt aujourd’hui à intensifier ses bombardements sans pour autant entrer dans une guerre officielle. 

La situation d’Israël est aujourd’hui en effet très confortable.  Il peut bombarder où il veut, quand il le veut, sans riposte du Hezbollah et dans l’indifférence générale de la communauté internationale. Une intensification intense des frappes pourrait ainsi lui permettre d’envoyer un message fort à la milice chiite et aux autorités libanaises, sans susciter l’éventuel mécontentement de l’administration Trump qui ne veut pas d’un nouveau conflit au Moyen-Orient et une éventuelle riposte du Hezbollah qui, s’il est mis dos au mur, serait contraint de à un moment de répondre aux attaques israélienne. 

L’objectif israélien semble assez clair: achever le désarmement du Hezbollah et obtenir à minima un accord sécuritaire avec le Liban qui soit très largement à son avantage. Toute la question est désormais de savoir de quoi Israël pense-t-il avoir besoin pour parvenir à ses deux objectifs. Pourrait-il se suffire, se contenter, se limiter à une guerre sous les radars ou pense-t-il nécessairement avoir besoin d’une guerre ou d’une campagne de haute intensité?»

Hello dear readers, even if it is getting late at her end, Bambi cannot go to sleep without sharing a beautiful double talent from France. The songs below are performed by Mr. Olivier Raffo (singer) and Mr. Martial Palacios (pianist). Aline, if you happen to be reading this post, the first song is meant for you :). Long live music!