Translated by Lina Yehya Raydan

 

 

 

Overview:

 

 

 

Kfarshima is a 5 Km2 town in Baabda district of Mount Lebanon Governorate, located in the southern part of Beirut. It overlooks the Mediterranean Sea and has a unique moderate weather.

 

 

 

Kfarshima hosted many civilizations, with each leaving behind a great heritage. Unfortunately, the modern construction boost and the development that the town has witnessed lately, wiped all that out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

However, the town managed to set itself among the most important Lebanese towns by being an inexhaustible spring of great creative Lebanese singers, composers and musicians who enriched the history of art and music on the national, Arab and International levels.

 

 

 

Kfarshima prides itself of being the birthplace of Philemon Wehbe, Melhem Barakat, Majida Roumi, Issam Rajji and Mary Sleiman.

 

One of the town's remarkable characteristics is coexistence among Christian and Muslim families. Its population is estimated by 70 thousand persons.

 

 

 

 

 

Philemon Wehbe

 

 

 

 Philemon Wehbe (1918-1985) born in Kfarshima, worked at an early age at Al Kadus Radio station as a musician and singer. Then, he moved to work for Near East Radio station. In the fifties of the 20th century, he met with the prominent talented persons who made in few years what is currently known as the Lebanese song.

 

 

 

He performed in many of the Rahbani brothers’ theaters and composed many songs for Fairouz.

 

Philemon Wehbe was known as the “sheikh” of Lebanese composers, he was also known for being humorous and funny, namely in his critical elegant monologue.

 

He composed for many known singers as Sabah, Wadih Alsafi, Sharifa Fadel, and others. Although he wasn't appreciated as should be, Philemon Whebe is and will always be a genuine part of Arab singing.

 

 

 

 Issam Rajji:

 

 He was born in Kfarshima (1944-2001), started work in the sixties, worked with the Rahbani brothers and collaborated in many songs with Sabah.

 

 

 

Issam Rajji took part in Lebanon's top musicals and plays in the 1970 and 1980s with the Rahbani brothers.

 

 

 

He was best known for his songs "La'ayteek"(When I met you),"youmain washarain" (two days, two months) and "Hezi ya Nawa'm"(Dance tender girls).

 

 

 

He died in 2001 leaving behind him a rich musical heritage which will keep him alive in the memory of Lebanon and the Lebanese.

 

 

 

 

 

 Majida Roumi:

 

Majida was born on December 13, 1957 in Kfarshima and is known for being a musical star.

 

Majida started her musical career in the early 1970s when she participated in the talent show "Studio El Fan" on Tele Liban and won the gold medal for best female singer.

 

She was one of the first singers to combine western classical music. Her first hit was "Am Behlamak ya Helm Ya Lebnan" written by Said Akl. Noticed as a talented young singer, the Egyptian Director Youssef Shahine presented her in "Awdat Al Ibn Al Dal" (return of the prodigal son) movie, as the voice of the 20th century.

 

Majida enriched the Library of music by more than 12 musical albums.

 

 

 

Mary Sleiman:

 

 Mary started her musical career in 1980 when she participated in the talent show "Studio El Fan" on Tele Liban and won the first place for Mount Lebanon Governorate for the best female singer.

 

After a long absence for many years, Mary released in the summer of 2006 her comeback album “Boukra Minshouf" (Tomorrow we will see).

 

In 2011, she participated in presenting the Murex D'or celebration in Lebanon.

 

 

 

 Melhem Barakat:

 

Melhem Barakat is one of the most known Lebanese and Arab musicians. He was born in Kfarshima in April 1944.

 

 Melhem grew up with the sound of Egyptian composer and singer Mohammed Abdel Al Waha. Still a child, he was considered by many people around him as a special talent while singing in school parties. Then, he sang before a group of leader names of Lebanese musicals who considered him an exceptional talent and a charming voice.

 

He participated as an actor and singer in many of the Rahbani musicals.

 

His career was a series of success.

 

Melhem's first theatrical work was "Princess Zomrod" followed by "Al Rabih Al Saba" (The seventh spring) and then many others.

 

Melhem toured Australia, South America, Canada and the USA.

 

 

 

Places of Worship:

 

Kfarshima has some ancient churches, such as church of St.Takla, Church of Alwardyeh Alkadima and convent of St.Anthony ElKerkafi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Places of tourism:

 

In addition to the ancient churches, Kfarshima boasts many cafes and restaurants for families "Kfarshima Al Naba'café" ( Kfarshima Spring Café), "Kfarshima Al Montazah Café" (Kfarshima Park Café) and "Beit Jeddi" (Grandpa's house) restaurant .

 

 

 

Economic facilities

 

 

 

Kfarshima has a variety of Industrial, Agricultural, banking commercial and Engineering facilities of which the most remarkable are " Lecico" factory, for manufacturing ceramic products, "SIPCO" factory for paper and card board industry, "Dairy Day" for dairy products, "Master" factory for candies, "Bassam Ghrawi" factory for candies, "Habr" factory for marble, "Noni's institution for making soap", "Al Murr Institution for manufacturing shoes", etc….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moreover, Kfarshima enjoys an array of social, sports, cultural, religious and charitable activities organized by a number of associations and clubs founded in the town.

 

Kfarshima is also known for the various public and private schools and colleges found in it.

 

Kfarshima also provides health care for its people through a public dispensary which provides health-care services with negligible charge. In addition to that there are a number of private clinics spread throughout the town.

 

 

 

Moreover, Kfarshima has a municipality building, which includes a place for the municipality police members, a silk office and a mail office.