Popular Culture and Nationalism in Lebanon

Explore how musical theatre and popular culture shaped Lebanese identity in the latter half of the twentieth century. This pioneering study examines the Rahbani brothers' folkloric extravaganzas at the Ba'labakk festival, featuring the iconic singer Fairouz, and their role in nation-building after French departure and civil unrest. Analyzing theories of nationalism, modernity, and globalism, the book reveals how these cultural projects gained potent identity-forming power amidst migration and mass media development. It offers the first English-language study of Fairouz and the Rahbani family, appealing to scholars of Middle East studies, popular culture, and musical theatre.