ENRIQUE IGLESIAS CONCERT IN DAMASCUS, SYRIA REMEMBERED

(Enrique on stage - on a walkway into the audience- in Damascus, Syria)

It is so difficult to look back at 2007 and remember the wonderful and exhilarating concert by Enrique Iglesias that took place in the centre of Damascus (capital of Syria) with Enrique Iglesias thrilling an audience of 10,000 or more. Especially when we know about the hell and suffering caused by the appalling war that has overtaken this wonderful land. We read daily of horrific atrocities being carried out on all sides. We must all pray for peace and healing to return to this war ridden land.

However, there have been lovely and happy moments and I am writing about one that we created and worked on:

Enrique Iglesias posted the following statement on Facebook on September 9 - it has had 35,830,684 hits to date: Enrique wrote:

“I had a concert in Damascus, Syria on July 4th, 2007 and had nothing but good memories of the people over there. My prayers are with the people of Syria and all the innocent children, women and men that have lost their lives or are suffering during this horrible conflict”.

(On stage in Damascus)

This was the first western style popular concert to be held in Damascus, Syria for 30 years and I am deeply proud together with my team from London to have negotiated, contracted, managed and presented this concert.

It was an important event on so many levels – the very first major pop show for three decades. Everyone said it couldn’t be done – but it happened and Enrique gave the concert of his life – it was a stunning success and to think that in only a very short time this great country would be torn apart by the most savage, ghastly and horrific civil war is tragic beyond belief. Words fail to express the horror of what has happened to this country and the lovely, welcoming and fun-loving youngster’s who happily danced, clapped, sang along with and enjoyed Enrique’s concert. 

I was first approached by Rasha Mouakeh of Libaladi Events based in Damascus. Rasha and her partner in business Louia Marden Bey hadn’t any previous experience of presenting major concerts – but they were massively enthusiastic and welcoming – we were trying to achieve something truly difficult but the collective will was there to win through. Looking back now at that concert and the hoops we had to jump through to make this work were daunting to say the least.

First of all we had to persuade Enrique to perform in Damascus. I know that many people tried to persuade him not to come, but with great credit to Enrique he followed his heart and agreed to perform. The contracts were finalized – the venue agreed, which in itself was difficult – we originally aimed for a different historic site, but the area was too small – so we moved to the Old Fairground near the centre of Damascus. The site would hold around 10,000 people (seated and standing).

I made a number of trips to Damascus to check out the site, the hotels, security and all the things on our long check list – we settled on the date of the concert July 4, 2007 and the announcements were made.

My advance production team headed by Sarah Whitmarsh arrived, as did my own crew with Lisa Pearce, Laura Smith and others. The stage was built, lighting, sound and screens brought in from Beirut – the scene was set.

I remember so well standing at Damascus airport waiting for Enrique’s private jet to arrive from Miami – it was such a thrill when he stepped off the plane. A fleet of cars whisked him and his musicians off to the hotel.

The concert was great – the audience loved Enrique and he loved them. The atmosphere was electric and I recall feeling an enormous sense of achievement and happiness that it had gone so well.

I could never have envisaged the horror and nightmare that was to befall this wonderful country. What has happened to those 10,000 kids and parents who had such a great time? What is happening today to the millions of refugees and those living in appalling conditions, starving with little hope of relief – those in pain, wounded, suffering with little or no medical help – to remember and pray for the millions who have died and their families facing unbearable loss.

I urge everyone to pray for these people and this war torn country – to bring peace back to this lovely historic land. A chance to rebuild from the ashes and to bury the hatreds, fear and loathing that such a war brings. We must as human beings have faith and pray that out of this horror the roots of compassion, caring, love and decent humanity can emerge and flourish. Syria does not need rampant ideology – it does not need tribal and religious hatreds – it needs HEALING with LOVE and COMPASSION  - NOTHING ELSE WILL DO.

Whatever your race, religion, creed, nationality, belief and experiences – we all of us must pray together and work towards a peaceful solution to this crisis. We are all human – we all bleed, breathe, suffer, feel pain and need love.

Please remember the most important human MANTRA:

Hatred, Ignorance, Blind Ideology, Greed, Violence, Jealousy all bring SUFFERING

Love, Compassion, Caring, Healing and Forgiveness all bring HAPPINESS

For those that remember this concert you will be pleased to recall the press reports:

Enrique Iglesias Performs in Damascus

By SAMAR KASSABLI

The Associated Press

Thursday, July 5, 2007; 12:14 PM

DAMASCUS, Syria -- More than 10,000 fans, many of them teenagers, cheered and danced the night away at a performance by Enrique Iglesias, the first concert by a Western pop singer in Syria in over 30 years.

The 32-year-old Latin heartthrob charmed his audience with many of his hits, including "Hero," "Escape," "Love to See You Cry" and "Just Wanna Be With You," as well as songs from his new album, "Insomniac."

Iglesias said he wasn't concerned about performing in Syria, "although many people have told me not to."

The sold-out concert began late Wednesday and ended after midnight at an open-air stadium near the 11th-century Damascus citadel. Ticket prices ranged between $30 and $200. A large crowd gathered outside the venue, built specifically for the event, where two giant TV screens were set up.

"I like his songs and his father's songs," said 24-year-old business graduate Sandy al-Haj, referring to Julio Iglesias.

"Syria should invite other world singers," she said.

Although Syria is rich with culture, historic and tourist sites, Western celebrities have largely stayed away from the autocratic country for years. However, Syria has been taking small steps to open up the Socialist-style economy and allow greater opportunities and access to information for young people.

The concert was organized by the private company LiBaladi, but other private Syrian companies and Syrian expatriates helped with the financing. Revenues, according to organizers, will go to Syrian charities.

10,000 people at Enrique Iglesias concert in Damascus:

Washington Post. 

US Latin singer Enrique Iglesias has performed a charity concert* near the Damascus Old City to 10,000 people. It is the first western pop concert in Syria for 30 years.

It happened at the old fairground. Tickets cost from $30 but huge TV screens were put up outside, where many more people watched for free.

There was some doubt about whether Iglesias would come to Syria. But after his team visited the country, and said that it wasn’t a terrorist haven, he went ahead with the concert. He is now extending his stay in Syria to do some sightseeing.

Iglesias concert first in Damascus in 30 years

Associated  Press
Published Thursday, July 5, 2007 2:28PM EDT

DAMASCUS, Syria - Latin heartthrob Enrique Iglesias enthralled Syrian fans with his latest songs at a much touted concert, the first by a Western pop singer in Damascus in 30 years.

More than 10,000 Syrians, many of them teenagers, cheered and danced the night away at the live concert held late Wednesday. It ended after midnight at a huge open air stadium, built specifically for the event, near the 11th-century Damascus citadel.

A large crowd gathered outside the stadium, where two giant television screens were put up.

Tickets to the event-ranging between US$30 and $200-were completely sold out. The performance was organized by a private Syrian company called "LiBaladi,'' Arabic for "To my country,'' but other private Syrian companies and Syrian expatriates helped with the financing. Revenues, according to organizers would go to Syrian charities.

The performance was the first of its kind in Syria in over thirty years. Although rich with culture, historic and tourist sites, Western celebrities have largely stayed away from the autocratic country for years.

However, Syria has began opening up in recent years, taking small steps to open up the Socialist-style economy and allowing greater opportunities and access to information for young people.

The 32-year-old singer said he wasn't concerned about coming to Syria "although many people have told me not to.''

The Grammy-award winner charmed his fans with a selection of new songs from his latest Album, "Insomniac,'' released last month, as well as many of his greatest hits including "Hero,'' "Escape,'' "I love to see you cry'' and "Just wanna be with you.''

Young Syrians were thrilled to be there. "I like his songs and his father's songs,'' said 24-year-old business graduate Sandy al-Haj, referring to Spanish. 

Thanks for reading this post and I hope that all of us will do whatever we can to help this sad and horrific situation.