Committed artist, Bernard Lavilliers is in love with Lebanon where he has many friends. The singer would like to organize a concert to support the Lebanese people.
You have a very strong link with Beirut ...
BERNARD LAVILLIERS.I am devastated by what is happening, I have so many friends in Lebanon. I went to Beirut in 1982, then in the midst of the war. I immediately fell in love with this country, for the Lebanese. It was also a cultural crush because there is such artistic effervescence there. Without doubt linked to the suffering that Lebanon has known for so many years. I like the mix of ancient cultures of this country, its atmosphere. I went back there in February 2006, the Syrians were gone, we could finally walk around the city. It was there that I started to write the album “Saturday evening in Beirut” where I wanted to talk about this incredible country, its pains and its many scars but also the incredible sense of feast of the Lebanese. Beirut is a very endearing city and I have returned regularly.
Have you heard from your friends?
They are stunned and in a state of bewilderment. I don't know yet if I've lost any friends because I haven't heard from them yet. It hurts for this country, not to know if everyone is still alive, it hurts for the Lebanese population, whether Sunni, Maronite, Druze, Shiite ...
Have you also played it several times?
I played at the MusicHall, a performance hall of around 1000 seats that looks like a small Olympia located in the heart of Beirut in the artists' district. I had its owner on the phone, my friend Michel Elefteriades, who told me that the hall was destroyed. It hurts me because it was a magical place, unique in the world. But of course without comparison with the human drama. I also remember the music festival in 2007 which had not taken place for years. I was without my musicians and I played with the percussionist Ibrahim Jaber and it was a very strong moment on the Place des Martyrs.
How to help Lebanon?
For them, we must remain optimistic because there, the situation is so serious. The years of wars, corruption, the economic crisis and now this double explosion is the total. You really have to help them because they won't do it on their own. As soon as it is possible without hindering the emergency services, I will go to see my friends in Beirut. Even if because of the Covid, we have trouble organizing concerts, we could imagine singing for the Lebanese.
A call to Louis Chedid, his son Matthieu, Ibrahim Maalouf, Mika and all the artists close to Lebanon?
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Of course, and there are plenty of others like Cyril Mokaiesh! This would of course be an opportunity to raise funds but also to show the Lebanese people our moral support, our solidarity. It is important to tell them that we are with them. It would be really good to organize this concert.
