International Crossover Singer Abeer Nehme Becomes WCA Goodwill Ambassador For Aramaic Cultural Heritage

On 25 June 2021, the World Council of Arameans (Syriacs) (“WCA”) announced the famous international crossover singer and musicologist from Lebanon, Mrs. Abeer Nehme, as the WCA Goodwill Ambassador for the Aramaic Cultural Heritage. Why, and who is she?

 The rich and still living cultural legacy of the Aramean (Syriac) people is older than 3,000 years. Yet, it remains poorly known to both its heirs and the world, whereas experts warn that its existence is threatened. Against this background, WCA is proud to present Abeer Nehme as its Goodwill Ambassador for the Aramaic Cultural Heritage to help us overcome these challenges.

Abeer herself has stated: “This honorable position strengthens my dedication to raise awareness and highlight the historical role of the Aramaic cultural heritage, its present-day relevance and its endangered status.” She is also committed to bringing diverse peoples, cultures and religions together through the universal language of music, especially in Aramaic. As a respected member of the ancient Syriac Maronite tradition, she will inspire and motivate fellow Arameans, particularly the youth, to learn more about and value their unique cultural heritage.

Abeer has graduated with high distinction in Oriental Music from the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik in Lebanon and she is currently working on her master’s degree in musicology. She is the only Arabic-speaking singer – and one of the few persons ever – to perform in no less than 28 languages around the world. She has performed musicals and concerts in the most prominent music venues and international festivals.

The new WCA Goodwill Ambassador is indeed a professional composer with a rich portfolio of achievements. She has prepared, presented and produced musical documentaries such as the series Ethnopholia Mousiqa-l-Shou’oub – a series of 40 documentaries featuring Abeer’s unique capacity to sing in various languages, while interacting and identifying cultural music and traditions around the world. Ethnopholia won the prestigious Murex d’Or Award as the best documentary in 2017. Globally, this extraordinary gifted singer has also won prestigious awards for her outstanding vocals and music.

In fact, Abeer has gained international fame and recognition as a crossover singer, composer and musicologist, becoming the first Middle Eastern singer to sign an international record deal with Universal Music MENA. All of this (and more) makes her a true messenger of civilizational, cultural and artistic dialogue transcending all boundaries.

The Aramaic language, heritage and liturgical music have always played a major role in Abeer’s career and mission. She has performed Aramaic music around the world. For instance, she has recorded “Syriac Rites,” a live-concert album under the patronage of the former Syriac Orthodox Patriarch, His Holiness Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas. The sacred album depicts the most traditional and epic prayers and hymns in the ancient Aramaic liturgy.

The WCA President, Johny Messo, welcomes her as follows: “We are immensely proud of Abeer and see in her the envoy par excellence who, through her music and cross-cultural dialogue, can touch the hearts of her audiences. With her angelic voice and charismatic presence, she can make the voice of the voiceless heard and let the Aramaic light shine before other nations.”

The WCA is currently preparing activities to host Abeer. As to her ambassadorial role, a video clip will soon be released and a live Q&A session will appear on social media. Various events will be held across the globe, including at the United Nations Office in Geneva or New York.

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Download the Press Release here.

Furthermore, watch this video below of Abeer Nehme as the WCA Goodwill Ambassador for the Aramaic Cultural Heritage on 25 June 2021 on the news program of Suryoyo Sat, the Aramaic-speaking satellite channel of the Aramean people.