Joy filled the air at an official meeting organized by the Lebanese American University to celebrate the handing over of choreographer Georgette Jabbara’s rich archive to the Riad Nassar Library on the university’s campus in Koraytem. The event marked a significant milestone in Jabbara’s career and showcased her immense contribution to the world of dance and theater.
Jabbara’s archive is a treasure trove of memories, filled with black-and-white and colored photos of dancing parties, as well as interviews with leading figures in the industry. Her body, like a storyteller, weaves fictional tales through her graceful movements, reminiscent of beloved stories like “Cinderella” and “The Sleeping Princess.”
In a time where adulthood seems to have taken over, Georgette Jabbara managed to bridge the gap between dance and poetry. She harmonized the movement of her body with the recitation of seven poems, including works by renowned poets such as Badr Shaker Al-Sayyab, George Ghanem, Fadwa Touqan, Nizar Qabbani, Elias Abu Shabaka, Ibn Zaydun, and Gibran. The title of Gibran’s poem, “I Had It Yesterday,” reflects the contrast between the beautiful past and the harsh reality of today.
Jabbara’s archive is like a group of butterflies, fluttering from one flower to another, carrying nectar to feed all kinds of flowers. It contains correspondence, photographs, her first ballet dance costume, and a sample of her book “Between Two Steps,” which chronicles her experience in ballet. The archive also includes newspaper clippings and numerous honors and awards, including the prestigious Saeed Akl Award in 1972. Jabbara’s journey spans over 70 years, making her a woman ahead of her time.
The significance of discussing this archive today goes beyond nostalgia. It is an attempt to break free from the tragic decline in arts and culture in Lebanon and the region. It also aims to connect the younger generation with their heritage, as they dive into this rich archive amidst Lebanon’s current crisis. Georgette Jabbara, the “Ballerina,” symbolizes the true essence of Lebanon, a country stolen by war and its consequences. Through her elegant dance, she elevated Lebanon’s name and showcased its beauty to the world.
Georgette Jabbara’s success in her profession stems from her embrace of freedom and her fight for it through ballet. She paved the way for human freedom and the liberation of women from societal constraints. She elevated dance to a sublime and sacred rank by intertwining body language, poetry, and music.
The celebration of Georgette Jabbara’s archive brought together her fans, including her husband, Mr. Robert Arida, and her companions in the acting world, such as Gabriel Yammine, Rifaat Tarabay, Georges Shalhoub, Elsie Fernini, Randa Al-Asmar, Nicolas Daniel, Julia Kassar, Lina Abyad, and long-time friends like the talented artist Salima Zod. Salima even painted costume designs inspired by Jabbara’s drawings for the ballet “Ecstasy.”
The ceremony allowed attendees to break free from the shackles of the ruling class, who have oppressed them mercilessly. The President of the University, Dr. Lunar, played a significant role in making this event possible.
The day dedicated to Georgette Jabbara also featured a special performance by choreographer Dr. Nadra Assaf, who knew Jabbara closely. Assaf, along with the Mirage Dance Troupe, consisting of dance teachers Jimmy Bashara and Sarah Fadel, presented a dance inspired by Jabbara’s career and derived from her archive. The performance highlighted the importance of dance in conveying knowledge to the audience.
Georgette Jabbara’s archive is a testament to her remarkable journey and the impact she has had on the world of dance and theater. It serves as a reminder of the power of art to overcome sadness and bring joy to our lives.
How does Georgette Jabbara’s archive help connect the younger generation with their heritage in the field of dance and theater
Scover the remarkable contributions of Georgette Jabbara to the world of dance and theater.
The official meeting at the Lebanese American University was filled with joy as it celebrated the momentous occasion of Georgette Jabbara’s archive being handed over to the Riad Nassar Library. This event marked a significant milestone in Jabbara’s career and showcased her immense impact on the world of dance and theater.
Jabbara’s archive is a treasure trove of memories, containing both black-and-white and colored photos of dancing parties, as well as interviews with prominent figures in the industry. Her body, like a storyteller, weaves fictional tales through her graceful movements, evoking beloved stories such as “Cinderella” and “The Sleeping Princess.”
In a world dominated by adulthood, Georgette Jabbara has managed to bridge the gap between dance and poetry. She beautifully harmonizes the movement of her body with recitations of poems by renowned poets such as Badr Shaker Al-Sayyab, George Ghanem, Fadwa Touqan, Nizar Qabbani, Elias Abu Shabaka, Ibn Zaydun, and Gibran. The title of Gibran’s poem, “I Had It Yesterday,” poignantly reflects the contrast between a beautiful past and the harsh realities of today.
Jabbara’s archive is like a group of butterflies, fluttering from one flower to another, carrying nectar to feed all kinds of flowers. It contains correspondence, photographs, her first ballet dance costume, and a sample of her book “Between Two Steps,” which chronicles her ballet experience. The archive also boasts newspaper clippings and numerous honors and awards, including the prestigious Saeed Akl Award in 1972. With a career spanning over 70 years, Jabbara is undoubtedly a woman ahead of her time.
Today, discussing Jabbara’s archive holds great significance beyond nostalgia. It represents an attempt to break free from the tragic decline in arts and culture in Lebanon and the region. It also aims to connect the younger generation with their heritage as they discover the remarkable contributions of Georgette Jabbara to the world of dance and theater.
