The Prism
Moderated by Rowina Bou Harb, Head of Archives and Library
Friday, December 19, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Language: Arabic
Join us on Friday, December 19, 2025 at 5:30 PM for a talk with Munjid Al-Sharif, son of director Sabri Al-Sharif, in conversation with Journalist and University teacher Sawsan Al-Abtah, journalist at Al-Sharq-Al-Awsat newspaper and teacher in Arabic literature and civilization at the Lebanese University, and Akram El-Rayess, a researcher in ethnomusicology and cultural heritage, and a co-founder of the Foundation of Arab music and research (AMAR).
The Prism is a metaphor coined by Munjid Al-Sharif to describe the creative collaboration between Assi Rahbani, Mansour Rahbani, Sabri Al-Sharif, and Fairuz.
Illustrated with projected images drawn from various archives, the talk will trace the following topics:
- On becoming a Diva... and being one: Stories behind Fairuz's collaboration with Sabri Al-Sharif, the founding of the Lebanese Folk Popular Troupe, and the creation of Phoenicia Film.
- Fairuz through the friendship between the Al-Sharif family and the Rahbanis, shared memories, and personal anecdotes
- Q&A session, featuring video excerpts from interviews with the Rahbanis (prepared by Munjid Al-Sharif).
Munjid Al-Sharif worked and directed films and musical theater since 1972. Throughout his long career, he has directed numerous musical theater productions, dramas, documentaries, commercials, and television programs in the Gulf and Middle East for both international and local companies and clients. He accompanied his father throughout his career and life, worked as a lighting engineer with the Lebanese Folk Popular Troupe and had close family ties with the Rahbani brothers.
Sabri Al-Sharif, born in Jaffa in 1922 and later naturalized as Lebanese, directed the first Lebanese Folklore Festival in Baalbek in 1957. Together with Assi and Mansour Rahbani, he founded the Lebanese Folk Popular Troupe in 1955, followed by Phoenicia Film in 1966, in collaboration with Fairuz. Celebrated for his cultural vision and artistic sensitivity, Al-Sharif’s work bridged tradition and innovation. His legacy continues today, as seen in the Divas exhibition, which features archives preserved by his son, Munjid Al-Sharif.