Canaan rose to fame in the mid-1980s as a teen rock singer performing amid enemy attacks during the Lebanese Civil War,[6] holding concerts in vicinities of Lebanon as they were being bombed.[6] "In a small country that was ripped by war," Society writes, "there was this young girl making a difference".[7]
Canaan's career is described as having defied tradition and convention[3][8] and challenged millennia-old gender roles.[9]Arabian Woman reports, "As a girl who grew up in the midst of a bloody civil war, Canaan was breaking down seemingly insurmountable barriers. She rocked the establishment".[9]
According to Canaan, singing, writing, and dance served as a cathardic outlet for her from an early age.[11] When she was only eight-years-old, her French elementary school, College des Saints-Coeurs, Bikfaya, awarded her the first place prize in a creative writing competition (in which grades K-8 competed against one another) for a poem she wrote about a child who wept for being scolded over trivial things such as staining her fingers with ink when she writes.[12][13]
Canaan's conservative father and mother initially discouraged her from singing rock music, and forbid her to have a music education or any formal vocal training.[11][14] In spite of these obstacles, a young Canaan composed songs in her head and remembered the English lyrics and Western melodies by eidetic memory.[8][13]
Music career
Early career
In 1984, the teenaged Canaan—under the stage name Angel—joined the heavy metal band Equation,[6] who until then had been intent on finding a male lead singer. Canaan's four-octave vocal range,[12][14] charisma, and stage presence got her the gig and quickly gained her national popularity among Lebanese youth.[3][12] The same year, she began appearing in revealing, caped studded leather outfits with hip-length, blond-streaked hair—the iconic look she would popularize within the Lebanese rock scene and beyond.[3][14] As reported by the newspaper Campus: "For Lydia Canaan's first gig, she had to throw her trademark short rockish black leather skirt and studs out of her bedroom window in Brummana, put on a long skirt, lie to her conservative father about where she was going, and, after changing into her leather gear, singing her teenage heart out as Angel with the band Equation."[14]
Canaan, who off stage had been voted "Best Dressed" by Brummana High School, performed in provocative costumes that gave rise to her image as a tendsetting sex symbol.[3][14]The Daily Star wrote: "On stage, with her daring looks and style, Canaan became a role model".[3] Canaan's first original composition, "Why All The Hurt?", a tribute to a deceased friend that she wrote as a teenager, was a number one hit on the radio charts in Lebanon.[3]
Rock star
On Canaan's first concert with Equation, a Gulf Today writer notes: "The first show produced a phenomenal reaction... It is incredible that amidst the state of civil war that existed in Lebanon at that time, when most people had no idea if they would see another day, she managed to keep her ambitions alive".[6]Society magazine writes: "Tickets were sold out but more teenagers stormed in to see the young Angel perform... To accommodate the crowd, the concert organizers had to stamp on each fan's hand as they ran out of tickets. It was... her first success".[7]
Despite the dangers of warringmilitias and armies, Canaan held over 25 sell-out concerts from 1984 to 1988, recorded her English-language songs, and topped the radio charts in Lebanon.[3] At the height of their success, the band drew a crowd of over 15,000.[6] Canaan was hailed by the media as the "first rock star of the Middle East".[11][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]
Solo career
Canaan performed her last concert with Equation in 1986,[12] and in 1987 embarked on a solo career.[12] She performed her original compositions, including "To Oblivion and Back", "Does it Need Some Action?", "A Hard Situation", "Hey Richie", and "The Christmas Wish", all which were radio hits.[6] As a solo artist, Canaan enjoyed a significant increase in popularity.[7][12] With Lebanon under Syrianoccupation, her concerts were held in East Beirut, Mount Lebanon, and the north of Lebanon. In Tripoli, the second largest city in Lebanon, Canaan performed before a sold-out crowd under tight security despite having received death threats.[3][11] In 1987, Canaan performed for a crowd of 20,000 at the Beirut Rock Festival.[23][24] In 1988, she again performed at the Beirut Rock Festival,[24] and held sell-out concerts for three consecutive nights at Casino du Liban—the last to perform on its stage until the venue resumed activity following the end of the Liberation War in 1990.[25][26]
International success
Canaan's popularity and recognition in Europe and the UK distinguished her as the first Lebanese musical artist to gain international fame.[1][12][25][27][28][29][30] Canaan's global breakthrough was widely reported on by the Arab media,[2][25][29][31]Al-Hayat writing that she had " ... invaded the European market with her ballads".[29] Years later, in 1997, she would be the very first recipient of the Lebanese Ministry of Tourism's Lebanese International Success Award.[1] In 1989, she left Lebanon and settled in Zurich, Switzerland,[14] where she became a naturalized Swiss citizen.[9] There she took vocal lessons with soprano Anita Monti.[14] In 1990, she was interviewed by Radio Z in Zurich, where her songs received airplay.[9][32]
In 1991, Canaan began working with record producer David Richards[7] (producer of Queen and David Bowie).[33] The same year, she gave a live interview for NBC Europe.[29] Also in 1991, Canaan signed a two-year contract with London-based production company Spinny Music (led by Queen manager Jim Beach) to write and record her original songs "Shine",[34] "Never Set You Free",[35] "So Much to Give",[36] "Desire",[37] "Love",[38] and a cover of Shirley Bassey's English version of "Never Never Never",[39] produced by David Richards at Mountain Studios in Montreux, Switzerland.[7] The same year, she recorded the duet "Love and Lust" with Queen drummer Roger Taylor.[40][41]
In the fall of 1995, Canaan, who had up until that time performed rock music under the stage name Angel, dropped the moniker, and under her birth name Lydia Canaan presented the pop ballad "Beautiful Life"[46] (produced by Barry Blue and The Rapino Brothers)[47] at the Midem in Cannes, France.[48] That spring, Canaan's international release of the lead single "Beautiful Life"[46] by London-based Pulse-8 Records[46] gained her international critical acclaim,[12][49][50] including an endorsement by American radio personality Casey Kasem,[50] culminating in a promo tour in England and radio airplay in the UK, Europe, South Africa, and the Middle East.[50] That summer, Canaan performed "Beautiful Life" in Beirut for the launch of the MTV Global channel.[51][52][53] In promoting the event, MTV Global billed her as "the diva from the Middle East".[52] During the press conference, President of MTV Global, Peter Einstein, said: "MTV is proud and privileged to play Lydia's videos on Music-Non-Stop Show ... All at MTV have fallen in love with Lydia, her songs, and her performance."[53]
"The Sound of Love"
Canaan's second single, "The Sound of Love", produced by Barry Blue and The Rapino Brothers[47] (and recorded at Maison Rouge Studios in London),[54] was released in the fall of 1997 ahead of the album of the same name.[55] Between the winter of 1998 and the spring of 1999, "The Sound of Love" and other songs by Canaan recorded by Jay Ward's New York City based Dogbrain Music were featured on Billboard magazine's billboardtalentnet.com eight times[56][57][58][59][60][61][62] and topped Billboard's RadioBTN chart for thirteen weeks.[56][57][58][59][60][61][62]
Canaan's debut studio album, The Sound of Love, was released in the summer of 2000.[55] Recorded in London and New York City, it included the track "Right On the Verge" featuring Tommy Mandel.[55][63] The album was distributed by SIDI/XEMA in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon.[55] In support of its release, Canaan performed at various venues in Beirut, including Jumeira Beach Hotel in Dubai, Savage Garden Club,[64] and Rifaa Golf Club in Manama, Bahrain.[65]
In early 2000, "Guardian Angel" and "The Bridge", Canaan's duets with Robin Scott,[67][68][69] appeared on M's album Famous Last Words, released by BMG Music.[70] In 2003, "Spiritual Man", a track Canaan performs vocals on with Scott, appeared on Scott's solo album Life Class, released by Scott's label Yup! Records.[71]
In 2014, Canaan was named a semi-finalist by the UK Songwriting Contest for her online-released pop rock track "Never Set You Free".[77][78][79]
In 2015, the Curatorial Affairs Division of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum's Library and Archives in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, created and cataloged a subject file on Canaan[22] for their world's-largest repository of rock and roll history.[80]
As of October 2024, Canaan has topped the ReverbNation rock charts for Lebanon at number one for 336 consecutive weeks.[82][83]
Diplomacy
I was born in a world of borders, barricades, and demarcation lines. And since I could not change the world around me, I created a world inside me, and I held on to it. It was a world with no borders, barricades, or demarcation lines. It was a world of hope.[84][85]
In 2015, Canaan was first featured on United Nations AmbassadorMuhamed "Mo" Sacirbey's website, Diplomat Artist, where Sacirbey describes her as a "global citizen and diplomat artist",[21] and showcases Canaan's essay, "Diplomacy and Art".[21]
In 2016, Canaan was invited by HuffPost to be a contributor to their newspaper, where she writes a column on matters such as war crimes and human rights violations.[95]
In 2019, Canaan was appointed as a member of the International Advisory Council of the Academic University for Non-Violence & Human Rights (AUNOHR),[87] whose former members include Nobel Peace Prize Laureates Desmond Tutu, Mairead Maguire, and Adolfo Esquivel.
Advocacy
Canaan has also from time to time applied her influence to promote various social justice and political causes.[15][96]
In 2001, the American Community School in Beirut, Lebanon chose Canaan to deliver a speech to the students as Speaker of the Month.[15][96]
In 2024, Canaan, who campaigned for 14 years for the release of imprisoned WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, received a letter of thanks from Assange's brother Gabriel Shipton on the day of Assange's release, saying "I wanted to pause and write to you because it wouldn't have happened without your help."[97]
Humanitarian activism
I have faith. I believe in this country. I believe in the spirit of these people. I am the daughter of this land. I'm a Canaanite.[98]
In 2001, Canaan performed at the United Nations International Volunteers Day in Beirut[99] and was awarded for her humanitarianism by Yves de San, Head of UNDP Lebanon.[2][99]
In 2010, Canaan performed at The Summer University of Palestine in Lebanon, a summer camp to educate and raise the level of awareness of the participants from all around the world on Palestine, the culture of the wider Middle and Near Eastern regions, and Lebanon's crucial part in it. The event was organized by Viva Palestina Arabia, founded by George Galloway, who delivered a speech alongside fellow speakers Norman Finkelstein, Gabi Baramki, and Ghada Karmi, among other notable guests.[100]
In 2011, Canaan performed for elderly Palestinian refugees at the Social Support Society's Active Aging House within the Burj Al-Barajneh Refugee Camp in Beirut, Lebanon.[101]
In 2014, Canaan participated in the Arab International Forum in Solidarity With Palestinian Prisoners, held in Beirut, Lebanon, with over three hundred fifty public figures and other international attendees, headed by former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark.[15]
In 2015, Canaan took part in the International Forum for Justice in Palestine, held in Beirut, Lebanon, with over five hundred attendees from the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East, headed by former United States Attorney General Ramsey Clark.[11]
In 2020, Canaan returned to the Burj Al-Barajneh Refugee Camp in Beirut, Lebanon, and again met with and sang songs for elderly Palestinian refugees and refugee school children to offer her support for a free Palestine.[88][101]
Throughout her career, Canaan (who has an estimated net worth of $5 million as of 2024)[104] has made financial contributions to and performed in support of numerous charitable causes and organizations,[3] particularly those concerning the welfare of children, women, animals, and the elderly.[11][15][105][106]
In 1997, Canaan's song, "Beautiful Life", was selected by South African President Nelson Mandela as the theme song for a charity event he held in South Africa,[31][96][107][108] Mandela calling Canaan "a voice for peace".[87]
In 2020, Canaan was appointed a board member of CARES,[109] a Lebanon-based charity that supports children with Autism, Down Syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, developmental delay, and related disorders.[110]
Notable performances by Canaan at charity and fundraiser events include the American Women's Club,[106] the Children's Care Unit of the Salmaniya Medical Complex,[65] the Beirut Rotary Club, the American Community School,[111] Association pour la Promotion Feminine,[112][113]Caritas Lebanon,[114] Centre Renee Wehbe Le Vieillard Malade, Beirut for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (BETA),[115] the Lions Beirut Code Club,[116] the Unite Lebanon Youth Project (ULYP),[3] the Arab Resource Center for Popular Arts, Al-Jana (ARCPA),[3] the Social Support Society Active Ageing House,[2] NASMA Foundation,[3] and Association Amour et Partage.[2]
When Canaan was in the third grade, she was awarded the first place prize in a creative writing contest between all grades of her school for her poem about a little girl who cried for being chastised for superficial matters like getting ink on her fingers as she writes.[12]
2001
"Triumph"
Oratorical
Canaan delivered her speech "Triumph" at The American Community School in Beirut, Lebanon in response to the administratior's request that she give a motivational talk to the students as Speaker of the Month.[15][96]
2014
"Islamophobia and Art"
Oratorical
Canaan delivered her speech "Islamophobia and Art", about the need to combat anti-Muslim prejudice artistically) at the 25th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, gaining a round of applause and kudos.[94]
Canaan delivered her speech "Hostage to Injustice", a call for an end to unjust political imprisonment, at the 26th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, receiving a standing ovation and drawing media attention.[85]
2015
"Humane Evolution"
Oratorical
Canaan delivered her speech "Humane Evolution", in which she spoke out against legally sanctioned torture, at the 28th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, winning her extended applause.[118]
"Human Rights"
Oratorical
Canaan delivered her speech "Human Rights", disparaging governments worldwide for failure to implement UN human rights recommendations at the UNHRC's 23rd Session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), attended by over twenty-five delegations and representatives from Great Britain, Germany, Norway, France, the European Union, Denmark, Australia, Ireland, and Lebanon, and others at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. She also sang an a cappella verse of her activist anthem "Humanity Wake Up and Fight".[119][120][121]
2016
"Fighting Terrorism Without Violating Human Rights"
Oratorical
Canaan delivered her speech "Fighting Terrorism Without Violating Human Rights",[93] her impassioned defense of civilian victims of counter-terrorism attacks, at the 31st Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. It was streamed live on YouTube by the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).[122]
2017
"Global Effects of the Persecution of Religious Minorities in the Middle East"
Oratorical
On March 14, 2017, Canaan delivered her speech titled "Global Effects of the Persecution of Religious Minorities in the Middle East",[123] which primarily focused on the persecution of Christians (who, according to her speech, are the most persecuted religious minority in the Middle East and the world), at the 34th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland; her emotional delivery ended with Canaan in tears.[124]
2018
"No Refuge for Refugees"
Oratorical
Canaan delivered her speech "No Refuge for Refugees", about the global refugee crisis, demanding asylum and fair treatment for war refugees, at the 37th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.[125]
2024
"Zionism and Apartheid in Occupied Palestine"
Oratorical
Canaan delivered her speech titled "Zionism and Apartheid in Occupied Palestine", condemning the Israeli occupation of Palestine, and what she called the systematic "genocide" of Palestinians, at the 55th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.[126] Canaan was the first and only delegate on the panel to request the observance of a moment of silence for the victims of war crimes in Gaza, the West Bank, Southern Lebanon, and for U.S. Air Force servicemember Aaron Bushnell.[127]
Awards and honors
Awards
Clockwise or left to right: Canaan being awarded the Lebanese International Success Award by the Lebanese Ministry of Tourism, Beirut, Lebanon, 1997; Canaan receiving the International Year of Volunteers Award by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Beirut, Lebanon, 2001; Canaan being awarded the Global Goddess Artemis Award, Athens, Greece, 2023
Year
Award
By
Ref.
1980
First Place Award
College des Saints-Coeurs, Bikfaya, Elementary School Creative Writing Contest
Canaan was received by First Lady of Lebanon Andree Lahoud at the Lebanon Presidential Palace, who expressed her gratitude and admiration for Canaan for putting a positive cultural and artistic face on Lebanon.[136][137]
2002
Granted presidential audience
Canaan was received by the First Lady Andree Lahoud at the Lebanon Presidential Palace, who also requested that Canaan hold a concert at the Presidential Palace in honor of the wives of the fallen Lebanon Republican Guard officers.[138][139][140][141]
2002
Granted presidential audience
On Mother's Day Canaan was received at the Lebanon Presidential Palace where, upon the request of First Lady Andree Lahoud, she performed at a presidential ceremony in honor of the wives of the fallen Republican Guard officers.[108][142]
The Curatorial Affairs Division of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum's Library and Archives created and cataloged a Subject File on Canaan.[22]
Fighting Terrorism Without Violating Human Rights[147]
2016
Footage of Canaan delivering her speech at the 31st Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.[93] It was originally streamed live on YouTube by the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).[147]
Global Effects of the Persecution of Religious Minorities in the Middle East[123]
2017
Footage of Canaan delivering her speech at the 34th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, which captures Canaan's visibly emotional delivery.[124]
Footage of Canaan delivering her speech at the 37th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, followed by a standing ovation by attendees.[148]
Footage of Canaan delivering her speech at the 55th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.[149] Canaan has the attendees observe a moment of silence for the victims of war crimes in Gaza, the West Bank, Southern Lebanon, and for U.S. Air Force servicemember Aaron Bushnell, before blasting the Israeli government for the what she calls the genocide of the Palestinian people.[127]
Canaan appeared in a documentary by (America-based) women's rights organization Global Sorority Foundation (GSF) as a part of a documentary film series to raise awareness about lack of gender equality worldwide.[152][153] Canaan was interviewed as a role model for young girls who face adversity.[152]
2017
Lydia Canaan: First Rock Star of the Middle East
Film
Canaan appeared in a short documentary film detailing some of the highlights of her music and diplomatic career.[154]
Justifiable Homicide (2014), Annie and the Senator (2015), The Iraqi Girl Trilogy (2015)
Fiction novel(s)
American author Robert W. McGee mentions Canaan's songs "So Much To Give" and "Never Set You Free" in his novels Justifiable Homicide[160] and Annie and the Senator;[161] Canaan and her songs "Shine", "Fallin'", and "Libnan" are referenced in all three volumes of McGee's The Iraqi Girl Trilogy.[162][163] Much as was actually the case in the mid-80s,[6] McGee's characters must often risk their lives to attend Canaan's concerts.[160][162][163]
2017
Rock in a Hard Place: Music and Mayhem in the Middle East
Non-fiction
Canaan is featured in British journalist for Newsweek Orlando Crowcroft's book about the dangers she faced and obstacles she overcame as a rock music pioneer in Lebanon.[164]
2020
Pioneers from Lebanon
Encyclopedia
Canaan is featured in an Encyclopedia endorsed by the Lebanese Ministry of Culture and sponsored by the UNESCO Cultural Heritage and Treasure Museum of Silk.[86]
2023
Rebel Girls Rock: 25 Tales of Women in Music
Children's book
Canaan is highlighted among music legends and iconic rock stars in this international best-selling book series for kids, with a foreword by Joan Jett and activities curated by Gibson Brands.[86][165]
50 Amazing Swiss Immigrants: True Stories You Should Know About
Non-fiction
Canaan appears in this international Swiss book series among other modern and historical celebrities who immigrated to Switzerland. The book is endorsed by the Switzerland Foreign Ministry, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), and the State Secretariat For Migration (SEM), and is published worldwide in English, German, and French.[166][167]
^ abcdeHaddad, Viviane. "Lydia Canaan Shows Readiness to Hold Charity Concerts—The Only Lebanese Singer Who Performs in English and Has Toured the Major European Capitals", Asharq Al-Awsat, Vol. 24, No. 8,477, London, February 12, 2002.
^ abcdefghijklmnJubayli, Jinan. "'Angel' Canaan Brings it All Back Home", The Daily Star, No. 10,735, Beirut, March 18, 2002.
^Khonji, Tariq. "Lebanese Singer to Entertain Golf Fans", Gulf Daily News, No. 217, Bahrain, October 23, 2001.
^"The MTV Spirit in the Air of Beirut", Magazine, Beirut, May 19, 1995.
^ abcdHigh, Claire. "With Her Debut Album, The Sound of Love, Recorded in English, Lebanese Singer Lydia Canaan is Tipped to Be the First Middle-Eastern Female Singer to Break into the International Market", Arabian Woman, No. 21, Saudi Arabia, September 2000.
^ ab"Lydia Canaan, A Lebanese Spreading the Sweet Scent of Her Song in Europe", Asharq, No. 13,855, Beirut, July 7, 1995.
^ abcdefghLivingstone, David. "A Beautiful Life; Or, How a Local Girl Ended Up With a Recording Contract in the UK and Who Has Ambitions in the U.S.", Campus, No. 8, Beirut, February 1997.
^Ajouz, Wafik. "From Broumana to the Top Ten: Lydia Canaan, Lebanon's 'Angel' on the Road to Stardom", Cedar Wings, No. 28, p. 2, Beirut, July–August 1995.
^Aschkar, Youmna. "New Hit For Lydia Canaan", Eco News, No. 77, p. 2, Beirut, January 20, 1997.
^ abcdKhalife, Mireille. "Lydia Canaan Tells Her Story...and Launches Her English Songs Internationally from Lebanon", Al-Hayat, No. 13,732, Beirut, October 16, 2000.
^Al-Diri, Hanadi. "Meeting With President and CEO of MTV Networks and the Singer Lydia Canaan", An-Nahar, Beirut, May 19, 1995.
^Hayek, George. "Lydia Canaan: 'I Will Launch My International Career From the United States'", An-Nahar, No. 391, Beirut, July 28, 2000.
^ abcdefHayek, George. "The Lebanese Singer Lydia Canaan Has Invaded the European Market With Her Ballads", Al-Hayat, No. 12,513, Beirut, June 3, 1997.
^D'Mello, Edward. "A Singing Sensation: Unprecedented Success For Lebanese Singer Lydia Canaan", Gulf News, Dubai, November 29, 2000.
^ abHayek, George. "Lydia Canaan: 'President Mandela is a Fan of My Music'", An-Nahar, No. 211, Beirut, February 20, 1997.
^"President Emile Lahoud Receiving the International Pop Singer Lydia Canaan at the Presidential Palace", An-Nahar, No. 21,154, Beirut, January 17, 2002.
^"President Emile Lahoud Meeting With the International Rock Singer Lydia Canaan at the Presidential Palace", Al-Mustaqbal, Beirut, January 17, 2002.
^"President Emile Lahoud Meeting With International Lebanese Pop Star Lydia Canaan at Presidential Palace", Assafir, Beirut, January 17, 2002.
^"President Emile Lahoud Meeting With the International Pop Icon Lydia Canaan at the Presidential Palace", Al-Anwar, Beirut, January 17, 2002.
^"First Lady Lahood Receives Lebanese Pop Singer", Al-Mustaqbal, No. 890, Beirut, January 29, 2002.
^"First Lady Andree Lahoud to Receive the International Rock Singer Lydia Canaan at the Presidential Palace", An-Nahar, No. 21,164, Beirut, January 29, 2002.
^"The First Lady Invites Artist Lydia Canaan to Perform at the Presidential Palace", Al-Kifah Al-Arabi, No. 3,109, Beirut, February 15, 2002.
^"First Lady Andree Lahoud Invited Rock Star Lydia Canaan to Perform at the Presidential Palace", An-Nahar, No. 21,179, February 15, 2002.
^"First Lady Andree Lahoud Invites International Pop Singer Lydia Canaan to Perform at Baabda Palace", Assafir, No. 9,128, Beirut, February 15, 2002.
^"First Lady of Lebanon Andree Lahoud Invited Lydia Canaan to Perform at Presidential Palace", Ad-Diyar, No. 4,799, Beirut, February 15, 2002.
^"Lydia Canaan Performs at the Presidential Palace", Al-Mustaqbal, No. 938, Beirut, March 20, 2002.