Najwa Karam, the Sun shines again

For nearly four decades, Najwa Karam has been one of the most recognisable voices in Arabic music. Nicknamed Shams el-Ghinniyeh, or "The Sun of Arabic Song" the Lebanese singer has built a career that bridges the musical traditions of the Levant with contemporary pop, becoming a cultural icon for generations of listeners across the Arab world. With more than twenty studio albums and millions of records sold, she remains one of the region's most celebrated and influential performers. On 2 October, Najwa Karam will take to the stage at Dubai's Coca-Cola Arena for a concert celebrating the highlights of her career. From romantic ballads to songs inspired by Lebanon's rich musical heritage, her repertoire is defined by a powerful voice and an ability to reinterpret traditional Arabic music while speaking to contemporary audiences. Born in Zahle, in Lebanon's Beqaa Valley, Najwa Karam launched her career after winning the television talent competition Layali Lubnan in 1985. Her breakthrough came in the 1990s with a series of albums that helped bring traditional Lebanese music back to the forefront during a period of profound change in the Arab pop scene. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with many of the Middle East's leading composers while maintaining a deep connection to the musical heritage of her homeland. The Dubai concert offers audiences the opportunity to experience live one of the artists who has done the most to bring contemporary Arabic music beyond Lebanon's borders. In a city that has become one of the region's leading destinations for live entertainment, Najwa Karam's performance further reinforces Dubai's role as a meeting point between the great musical traditions of the Middle East and an international audience.