The Habayebna singing troupe, led by Heba Safi El Din, opened with a tribute to the women of Egyptian and Arab heritage, especially poignant during Women’s History Month. She began with a rare rendition of Aziza Helmy’s Wahawi Ya Wahawi Eiaha, El Bent El Helwa El Falaha (Greetings to the Moon and the Beautiful Peasant), celebrating the beauty of rural life.
She then shifted to an enduring classic, Dola Mein (Who Are They?), whose lyrics by the iconic Ahmed Fouad Negm and music by the legendary Sheikh Imam Eissa continue to stir hearts.
"The Habayebna troupe was first established in 2002, and our first concert was in Beirut in the memory of Sheikh Imam Eissa," troupe founder and oudist Maged Soliman told Ahram Online. "We sing songs about causes, comic monologues, rare songs such as sung by Sheikh Imam, Ismail Yassin, Shokoko. Folk songs, as well as many bygone songs."
The concert featured a rich tapestry of performances, starting with Dalia Ehab Younis, who sang Abir Neama's Kaif Li An Ashfa Men Hobak (How Can I Heal From Your Love), followed by Mina Fahim's rendition of Wah Ya Abdel Wadood (Oh, Abdel Wadood), with lyrics by Ahmed Fouad Negma and music by Sheikh Imam Eissa.
Next, Menna Soliman took the stage with El Qalb Yeashaq Kol Gamil (The Heart Adores All Beauty), written by Beiram El-Tounsy and composed by Riad El-Sonbaty. Omayma El-Shazly performed Mawlay (My God), with lyrics by Abdel Fattah Mostafa and music by Baligh Hamdy, famously sung by Sufi icon Sheikh Naqshabandy.
Ahmed Nagi followed with Ilahi Ma Aazamak (My God, How Great You Are), with lyrics by Hussein El-Sayed and music by Riad El Sonbaty. Amal Shaaban brought Shams El-Masakeen (Sun of the Poor) to life, a timeless piece by Lebanese icon Fairouz.
The grand finale was a powerful rendition of El-Mesaharati, with Mona El-Shayeb chanting the iconic poem by Fouad Haddad, set to the music of Sayed Mekkawy.
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