For Lebanese singer Hanine, enthusing the past and present is part of a cultural dialogue among world nations that must necessarily produce a basis of understanding.

Considered to be one of the best in her native country, Hanine is famous for her unique blending of Arab and Cuban music.

She is the first Arab singer to be able to do this and is today working with her eight-member Cuban band under the label "Hanine Y son Cubano." Her group is just two years old and was formed during her university days when she was studying law. "I simply loved this type of music," she said. But Hanine is infatuated with music itself.

"It wasn't easy for me to make a choice between law and music. Law can wait. I can actually persue a legal career related to the music business," she said.

It's not easy to produce a mŽlange of Arabo-Cuban music. In fact people do object strongly to that and see it as a "threat to the original characteristics of Arab music." There was criticism when Hanine chose songs of great Arab singers, like Mohammed Abdel Wahab, Farid Al Atrash, Abdel Halim Hafez and Fairouz and blended them with Cuban music.

Such practice requires hard work and attention from the singers, especially when Arab music is performed on Cuban instruments. "I agree the mixing of Arab and Cuban music in one piece is difficult. It wouldn't have been possible for me to do so without the understanding of the Cuban artists I now work with," Hanine said in a telephone interview from her house in Beirut. The lead singer of the band is Cuban Michel EleftŽriades.

He said it took three years for them to prove that a mixture of oriental and Cuban music can become a reality. "Two years were spent looking and searching for the right Cuban musicians as well as for the Arab singer. The third year was for rehearsals, recording and organizing the work," he explained.

Hanine and her Cuban band are to perform in the upcoming Souk Ukaz, which will kick off in Amman on 15 July. Besides Hanine, the souk will include other Arab and international performers who represent different cultures.

Hanine's part in the week-long festival will take place on 16 July at the Amman Citadel, which will certainly resonate a genuine Arabo-Cuban music.

Despite her degree in law, Hanine chose singing to achieve her stardom. She attributes her success to her family and friends, who supported her from the beginning. She believes her distinct skills are more visible in music. And her role in blending oriental and Cuban music seems responsive for her dreams.

"I am truly careful about the features of Arabic music, but wanted to introduce it through different means to foreign cultures," said Hanine, who is in her mid-20s. She recently graduated from the Lebanese National Conservatoire, specialising in vocals and oud performance. "I was enchanted by music since I was six years old."

"Sweeter than honey. Smart, beautiful and talented," was the way EleftŽriades described Hanine's voice. "I lived in Havana, that made the choice of musicians relatively easy," he added. The band's co-lead singer is Roman Diaz. He is famous for his great voice as much as for his charismatic presence on stage.

When Souk Ukaz was established in 2001 its main objective was to promote cultural dialogue. It is the brainchild of the Middle East Center for Culture and Development (MECD).

"The souk is primarily taking advantage of Jordan's touristic and archaeological treasures in this regard," said Iman Hindawi, MECD's executive director. The festival is sponsored by Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture, Jordan Tourism Board and the National Music Conservatory.

Hindawi noted MECD focuses on two points. Besides culture, the center promotes art development through education. She said the center is holding a workshop in October to enhance art skills for Jordanian students. "Culture and art is much related and Souk Ukaz is introducing this reality," said Hindawi, who obtained her MA in Art Management from Columbia University.

© The Star 2001-2002 A premier partner of arabia.com