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For the longest time, talented voices across the Middle East have been hidden from the spotlight. Now, the world is starting to take notice – and it’s about time. For the FIFA World Cup, Palestinian-Chilean icon Elyanna appeared alongside Canadian singer Jessie Reyez to perform for the opening ceremony. The singers performed their collaborative single ‘Illuminate’ from the official FIFA World Cup album.
The pairing of the two icons was not coincidental, as it intentionally brought together talent from opposite ends of the world.
The song features a blend of alternative R&B and instrumentals inspired by traditional Middle Eastern rhythms. The track is overflowing with heritage, featuring Arabic lyrics that were co-written by Elyanna’s mother, Abeer Sbiat Marjieh, brother Feras Margieh and Lebanese Canadian producer Massari.
Additionally, the singer garnered a lot of attention online for wearing the Keffiyeh, a traditional Palestinian scarf, during the performance. The garment is largely considered a symbol of Palestinian pride and solidarity.
Elyanna, 24, is beloved by many for expressing her richly layered heritage within her music. She’s known for using experimental rhythms, featuring a unique blend of Arabic and Latin sounds. The artist has also been championed for her global presence as Palestinian representation. She is frequently referred to as the ‘Daughter of Nazareth’, having spent her childhood in Palestine before moving to Los Angeles.
The World Cup is largely considered the most major sporting event in the world, and having a renowned regional voice appear on stage created an impact beyond words. The power of a Palestinian voice amplified across a global stage cannot be understated.
As part of FIFA’s official announcement for the song’s release, the singer stated, “I am deeply proud to represent my culture, my country, the Middle East, North Africa, and the Arab world on such a global stage.” She further added that the tournament “brings people from all over the world together to celebrate culture and humanity”.
