The nightingale departed in the time of flowers
On Wednesday, March 30, 1977, Abdel Halim Hafez passed away. The late Badih Serbey, editor-in-chief of Al-Mawed magazinem, had given Abdel Halim the title of “The Brown Nightingale”.
Since that day, this title spread and became attached to Abdel Halim’s name, and often replaced his name. The Nightingale passed away in the flower season, in the spring when he released his new song every year. “Qari’at Al-Finjan” was the last song he sang on Sham El-Nessim at the Tersana Sports Club in Cairo.
The lens of (Al-Mawed) captured this photo of the nightingale in Beirut, which he visited frequently, so much so that in his final years he rented an apartment in the Raouche area, which was adjacent to the Carlton Hotel. In the early sixties, Beirut society was living continuous circles of joy and happiness, and social events, parties and evenings characterized by luxury and beauty were crowded together.
The ladies of the velvet society, with their beauty and elegance, competed with the stars even in fame, as the lenses of magazines were present at every occasion. In the political magazine "Kol Shay", which was owned and edited by Badih Serbey, there was a social column entitled "Where did it go?" The fame of the people of this society resonated in Lebanon and the Arab countries. With the nightingale's frequent visits to Beirut, he merged with this society that did not sleep like him. After every dinner party, its conclusion was either in (Les Caves du Roy) or (Blow Up). At four or five o'clock, Halim would head to (Al-Ajami) restaurant to have breakfast, and plates of foul, hummus, fatteh and shawarma would be spread out. At one of the high society parties, Abdel Halim met his Lebanese lover, Najla.
This image has been converted from the original medium format film, resulting in a sharp and detailed image.
By May Serbey Chehab, from the Book "Boulevard of Stars: The Golden Age of Arab Entertainment".