Julia Boutros (Arabic: جوليا بطرس; born April 1, 1968[1]) is a Lebanese singer who rose to prominence in the 1980s with a series of songs like "Ghabet Shams El Haq" and "Wein el Malayeen". She is also the sister of Ziad Boutros and the wife of the ex-Minister of defense Elias Bou Saab.[2][3]
Julia Boutros جوليا بطرس | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Julia Khalil Boutros |
| Born | April 1, 1968 Royal Palace, Beirut, Lebanon |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, oud |
| Years active | 1980–present |
Biography
Boutros was born in Beirut, Lebanon, on April 1, 1968. Her father is originally from Lebanon, while her mother is from Palestine, with an Armenian background. She was educated at the Rosary Sisters Schools where she sang in the school choir. Growing up, she and her brother were heavily influenced by Ziad Rahbani's works. When she was 12 years old, she recorded her first song, entitled "A Maman",[1] at Elias Al Rahbani Studios. She also recorded two other songs, "C'est la Vie" & "Viens dans Ma Vie".[1]
On October 11, 2006, she released a new single titled "Ahibaii" (Dearly Beloved). The lyrics are based on a letter sent by Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah to the fighters in South Lebanon during the 2006 Summer War between Hezbollah and Israel. The poet Ghassan Matar adapted the original text. The music is composed by Ziad, brother of Julia and arranged by Michel Fadel. The profits from the song's sale went to help the families of Hezbollah fighters and to all Lebanese who died during the Israel-Lebanon conflict. Sales eventually garnered USD$3 million for the families of the Lebanese civilians, soldiers, security forces, and Hezbollah fighters who have been killed in the Israel-Lebanon conflict. The sum was triple the original aim, which was only USD$1 million. The families of Lebanese soldiers killed during operation Naher el-Bared also received a portion of the proceeds.[4]
Besides support for Hezbollah she has also given her support for Palestinian armed resistance groups in Gaza with the song "Al-Haq Silahi" (Righteousness Is My Weapon), as well as Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.[5][6][7]
In December 2023, during the Israel–Hamas war she sang a song titled "Yamma Mwel Lhawa" (Oh mother, what's with the wind?) in support of Palestinians.[8]
Awards
Discography
Albums
- 1982 : C'est La Vie (This is the Life)
- 1985 : Ghabet Shams El Haq (The Sun of Justice Has Gone)
- 1987 : Wain Msafer (Where Are You Travelling To?)
- 1989 : Haflet Sour
- 1991 : Hikayet Aatab (A Story of Lament)
- 1994 : Kosass (Stories)
- 1996 : Al Karar (The Decision)
- 1998 : Shi Gharib (Something Unusual)
- 2001 : Bisaraha (Honestly)
- 2004 : La B'ahlamak (Never in Your Dreams)
- 2006 : Ta'awadna Aaleik (We're Used to You)
- 2010 : Live at Casino Du Liban (+DVD)
- 2012 : Yawman Ma (Someday)
- 2012 : Miladak (Your Christmas)
- 2013 : Julia Live at Platea (+DVD)
- 2014 : Hkayet Watan (The Story of a Country)
- 2015 : Julia Live in Concert - Platea 2014 (+DVD)
- 2016 : Ana Meen (Who am I?)
- 2017 : Julia Live at Waterfront City Dbayeh 2016 (+DVD)
- 2019 : Julia Live in Tyre 2018 (+DVD)