Orphaned Land in concert (archives)
Photo: Or Alterman
Lebanon flags at Orphaned Land concert
Israeli metal band hosts Lebanese dancer Johayna Fakhri on stage during French festival. 'I see her as a hero,' says lead singer Kobi Farhi
Israeli metal band Orphaned Land continues to use music to bring Israelis and Arabs closer: After earning tens of thousands of fans in different Arab countries, and even appearing on the cover of an Iranian magazine, the band recently cooperated with an artist from Lebanon.
Last week, Orphaned Land performed at Hellfest 2011 in France, one of the world's biggest metal music festivals, alongside Lebanese belly dancer Johayna Fakhri, who danced on stage while the band played.
Transcending Politics
Metal band Orphaned Land, popular in Arab world, stars on cover of Iranian rock music publication Divan. 'Music demolishes political barriers,' says frontman Kobi Farhi
Cooperating with belly dancers during their many performances overseas has become one of the band members' traditions, but this was the first time they shared the stage with the Lebanese dancer.
On the stage, and in front of an audience of tens of thousands of people, the band members and Fakhri waved Israel and Lebanon flags.
Farhi and Fakhri with their countries' flags
"It was her idea to go on stage with the flags," lead singer Kobi Farhi told Ynet. "She contacted me on Facebook and wanted us to cooperate and wave the flags. I explained to her that it would be amazing for us, but I didn't want people to harass her. I didn't want it to seem that we were using her and that she would be criticized in her homeland.
"But she insisted, despite everything, and I see her as a hero. I had a long conversation with her about the problems in the Middle East, and following the meeting she really wants to visit Israel."
Orphaned Land performed in Germany last week and will launch another European tour in November.
- Follow Ynetnews on Facebook
