Today, Lebanon bid farewell to the giant of Lebanese theater, Romeo Lahoud, who left an exceptional mark in the memory of the Lebanese people and Lebanese art. The Archbishop of Beirut, Bishop Paul Abdel Sater, led the prayer for the repose of the soul of the late Romeo Lahoud at St. George Cathedral in Beirut, representing Patriarch Mar Beshara Boutros al-Rahi, accompanied by the Maronite Bishop of Jbeil, Bishop Michel Aoun, and a group of priests.
The General Vicar of the Maronite Archdiocese of Beirut, Father Georges Qli’ani, recited the patriarchal decree which stated: "The Apostolic blessing encompasses our dear daughters and sons: Valerie, the daughter of the late Romeo Roufail Lahoud, his granddaughter, his brother and sisters, their families, and all their relatives and in-laws in the homeland and diaspora. Today, a glorious and radiant page of the history of theatrical art in singing, composing, and directing is turned with the passing of our dear and great artist and creator, Romeo, the son of the ancient town of Amchit, and the Lahoud artistic family with its living heritage, after a journey on earth that lasted ninety-two years."
He added: "I knew him closely, befriended him, and appreciated him during my years of service as a shepherd of the beloved Jbeil Diocese. I lived alongside him especially when he built his new home in the Admon area to continue his deep activity and spend the final stage of his life. I shared with him two great pains: the first was the death of Salwa Qatireb, the wife of his brother, our dear Nahy, and a star of his musical and dance theater, who, in her absence, devastated them and brought tears to the eyes of all Lebanese; the second was the death of his sister Alexandra, his wife, with whom we were alongside in her fierce battle against illness. How difficult it was for him to live in that house alone, so he moved to the beloved Habhalin to live his last years in his old Lebanese mother’s house amidst the beauty of nature."
The late Romeo was distinguished by his humanity, closeness to God, sensitive feelings, and humility, having been also deeply hurt after losing his two late wives, Salwa and Alexandra, following the death of his first French wife, Liliane Poulain, with whom he had two daughters, Dominique and Valerie, and the death of his daughter Dominique in a tragic accident. He continued: "The late Romeo Lahoud was a distinguished Lebanese figure, rich in knowledge and art. He specialized in interior architecture in France, directing arts in Las Vegas, and theatrical sciences at La Scala in Milan. God gifted him with the talent for writing, composing, producing, and directing. He left behind more than thirty musical plays for generations with the greatest stars of Lebanese singing, dancing, and theater such as: Sabah, Salwa Qatireb, Georgina Rizk, Melhem Barakat, Antoine Kerbaj, Nadia Jamal, Kegham, and Alan Mourad. These, among others, raised the name of Lebanon high and its glory."
He stated: "He entered the world of art at the age of twenty-five when he began as a producer bringing major French stars who performed at UNESCO theaters and Casino du Liban. He then contracted with the Baalbek International Festivals as a director, presenting 'The Waterfall' with Sabah. He later launched the first permanent musical theater with three consecutive musical plays: Muwal, Majana, and Ataba. He established the Libyan folkloric troupe, the Byblos International Festival, the Elisée Theater in Ashrafieh, the Venice Theater, and the Arts Theater in Jounieh. He was the first Lebanese Arab to present performances at the 'Olympia' in Paris and at the 'Palais des Beaux-Arts' in Brussels, and he opened with his troupe the 'Imperial Opera' in Tehran in the presence of the Shah’s wife. He was behind the fame of many art stars."
In recognition of all these artistic contributions, the late Romeo received numerous high awards from Lebanon, France, Belgium, Greece, Switzerland, and the United States, the most notable being the Order of the Cedar as an Officer and as a Commander. The great Romeo Lahoud, known for his fame, was a humble person in all his humanity. That's how I knew him, and that's how I saw the bonds of love, brotherhood, and care that I witnessed with members of his family: the late Alin the journalist, Babo the fashion designer, Nay the dance designer, Nahy the producer and historian, and with his daughter Valerie, who runs a production company for commercials and music videos.
Yesterday, on the anniversary of Lebanon's Independence, with the country lacking a president sanctioned by the Parliament and influential parties behind it, oppressing and impoverishing the people and dismantling the state, Romeo Lahoud closed his eyes with a tear of sadness for this homeland he sang for and raised its name on international platforms. But in his silent heart lay a spark of hope that Lebanon will not die, as he enters into immortal life to receive the crown of glory from the abundance of God’s mercy."
He concluded: "On this hope, and expressing our paternal emotions, we delegate to you our brother Bishop Paul Abdel Sater, the highly esteemed Archbishop of Beirut, to lead on our behalf the prayer service for the repose of his soul and to convey to you our heartfelt condolences. May God receive the soul of your dear departed in the glory of Heaven and pour out consolation upon your hearts. From our seat in Bkerke, on the twenty-third of November, 2022."
The attendees of the funeral included the Minister of Culture in the caretaker government, Muhammad Wissam Al-Mortada, representing the Speaker of the House Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Minister of Information in the caretaker government Ziad Al-Makari, and MPs: Pierre Bou Assi, Ziad Hawat, Simon Abi Ramia, former MP Walid Khoury, Head of the Journalists Syndicate Joseph Al-Qusayfi, Head of the Maronite League former Ambassador Khalil Karam, Head of Artists George Chahine, along with the family of the deceased and a crowd of artists and media figures. President Mikati had offered his condolences earlier today in the salon of St. George Maronite Cathedral in downtown Beirut, and wreaths were sent from Speaker of the House Nabih Berri, former President Michel Sleiman, the Mayor of Amchit, and various artistic, cultural, and social figures.
