‘Al Asheqeen’, A Brief Background
Al Asheqeen is a Palestinian band founded in 1977 in Damascus by prominent composer Hussein Nazek, great lyrics writer Ahmad Dahbour and managed by Ahmad Al Jamal.
Since its initial launched, Al Asheqeen’s songs were based on traditional and folkloric Palestinian music. It represented a unique cultural dimension in Palestinian history and became the free voice of Palestine. Their songs narrated the story of the struggle of a people to gain freedom and independence.
The lyrics and poetry used in their songs mainly belonged to prominent poet Ahmad Dahbour in addition to other poets such as Abul Sadeq Salah and Hussein Hamza. Poetry of other famous poets, who passed away, such as Mahmoud Darwish, Tawfiq Zayyad, Noah Ibrahim, Yousif Al Hassoun, was also used.
Their main composer was Hussein Nazek in addition to Mohammad Saad Theyab, Mohammad Al Jamal and Mutee Al Masri.
The band held concerts in various countries such as, Greece, the USA, Canada, the UK and many Arab capitals. They obtained a prize from Nanette Festival in France, in addition to other worldwide honorary Awards.
In the 80’s and due to difficult political circumstances and divisions in the PLO, the band stopped singing despite numerous attempts to revive it.
Today we witness the re-launch of Al Asheqeen by a group of Palestinian and Arab singers who live in London.
band members
Mohammad Diab: Originally from Palestine. Currently lives in the UK. The only member of the original Al Asheqeen Band. He was a child reciting poetry in their performances in the 70’s and 80’s. He is married with one daughter. Re-establishing Al Asheqeen band has been his dream for many years.
Nizar Al-Issa: originally a Palestinian from Ramallah. He is a singer with great control on the Oud (a cousin of the lute). He draws on traditional Middle Eastern music and has recently collaborated with jazz. His performances have taken him around the world. He became the second member of Al Asheqeen.
Samar Estephane, originally from Lebanon. Qualified as a teacher but music has been her ambition and passion. She was part of a theatrical group performing for Al Rahbani brothers. Moved to London in the 1990's where she worked as a singer in the Lebanese restaurant Maroush. Samar Performed in many big social events and is famous for singing for fairuz. She was the ninth member to join Al Asheqeen.
Shadia Mansour: British Born Palestinian. Started singing at the tender age of 5 years old by appearing on various Arabic, British, American TV and radio shows. Shadia has performed worldwide and has solo Arabic songs. She became the third member to join Al Asheqeen Band.
Shaima Saleh: Originally from Iraq. She has a BA in fine Arts, and singing is her hobby. Recorded Arabic songs for early learning kids for toy company ‘Fisher Price. Shaima had a couple of solo performances in London. Prefers singing traditional songs, and became the forth member of Al Asheqeen Band.
نبذة عن فرقة العاشقين
تاسست فرقة العاشقين عام 1977 في دمشق، على يد كل من الملحن الفلسطيني الكبير حسين نازك والكاتب الفلسطيني الكبير الاستاذ احمد دحبور، اضافة الى السيد احمد الجمل الذي كان مسؤولا عن ادارتها انذاك، وكونت منذ نشاتها حالة ثقافية متميزة في تاريخ الشعب الفلسطيني،وجسدت نضاله من خلال لوحات غنائية متنوعة اعتمدت في بداياتها على الاغنية التراثية الشعبية.
كتب معظم اشعارها الشاعر الكبير احمد دحبور كما شدت هذه الفرقة باغاني من اشعار كبار شعراء فلسطين وعلى راسهم الراحل محمود درويش، الراحل توفيق زياد، سميح القاسم اضافة الى ابو الصادق صلاح الحسيني، والشهيد نوح ابراهيم، وحسين حمزة والمرحوم الشاعر يوسف الحسون و اخرون. وضع معظم الحانها الاستاذ الكبيرحسين نازك اضافة الى السيد محمد سعد ذياب، كما لحن بعض من اغنيتها كل من السادة محمد الجمل و مطيع المصري.
كانت فرقة العاشقين صوت فلسطين الحر الذي اثبت حقيقة ان الثورة الفلسطينية المعاصرة لم تكن بندقية ثائر فقط بل كانت بعدا ثقافيا شكل استثناء تاريخي لهوية شعب لاجيء روت اغانيها قصة شعب يكافح لنيل الحرية والاستقلال. غنت فرقة العاشقين في العواصم العربية و الاشتراكية، قامت بجولات غنائية في العديد من الدول الاجنبة منها اليونان الولايات المتحدة الامريكية كندا بريطانيا وغيرها ونالت هذه الفرقة جائزة في مهرجان نانت الفرنسي للفن الشعبي وغيرها من الجوائز التقديرية.
ولكن وبسبب الاوضاع السياسية التي مرت بها منظمة التحرير الفلسطينة في الثمانينات، اضافة الى تشتت افراد الفرقة، توقفت فرقة العاشقين عن الغناء رغم جميع المحاولات لاعادة احيائها. وها نحن اليوم نشهد اعادة فرقة العاشقين للحياة من جديد على ايدي مجموعة من الشباب الفلسطيني والعربي املين لهم النجاح والاستمرار.
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