DARAMSUQ (DAMASCUS) — As a gesture of love and remembrance for her authentic artistry, more than four years after her passing on March 17, 2021, at the age of 54, preparations are underway for a new musical work celebrating the legacy of the late Syrian Syriac artist Mayada Bselis, whose voice continues to echo in the hearts of Syrians and the Syriac (Chaldean-Assyrian-Aramean) people. 

Veteran Syriac composer and conductor Sameer Kwefati, Bselis’ husband, revealed in an interview with Syria One TV that a tribute project is currently in progress to honor her musical archive. The production will feature the National Orchestra for Arabic Music, conducted by Maestro Adnan Fathallah, and will bring together a constellation of Syrian vocalists, including Linda Bitar and Lamitta Aishou, a native of the Gozarto (al-Jazira) Region. 

According to Kwefati, the concert will present a selection of unreleased songs of Bselis — melodies the public will hear for the very first time.

Related: Mayada Bselis: The Authentic Syriac Voice and Pioneer of Syrian Art 

Mayada Bselis remains one of Syria’s most remarkable Syriac voices, a singer whose delicate tone and soulful expression bridged sacred heritage and modern artistry. From her hometown Holeb (Aleppo) to the grand stages of the world, she embodied the Syriac and Syrian identity through music infused with folklore, spirituality, and deep emotion.

Her musical journey began at the age of nine when she took part in a talent show on Aleppo Radio. Performing the song “Asl al-Gharam” (The Origin of Love), she won first place in 1976 — a victory that launched her artistic career. In 1987, she married the distinguished Syriac composer Sameer Kwefati, with whom she shared not only a home but also a creative vision. Together, they had three daughters — Noor, Marah, and Nagham — who often joined their mother on stage as violinist, pianist, and cellist, giving her performances a tender familial harmony.

Throughout her career, Bselis released 14 albums, beginning with her 1986 debut “Ya Qateli Bil Hajr” (“You Who Kill Me with Absence”), a piece inspired by traditional Syrian folklore. The upcoming album announced by Kwefati will mark her fifteenth — a continuation of her artistic journey beyond time. 

Her music was distinguished by its range and authenticity, blending Syrian folk songs, Christian hymns, national pieces, and refined Arabic compositions. Among her greatest achievements was the song “Kezbek Helou” (“Your Lies Are Sweet”), which won the Golden Award for Best Arabic Song at the Cairo Festival in 1999, earning her acclaim across the Arab world. She also performed iconic theme songs for dramas such as “Ikhwat al-Turab” (“Brothers of the Soil”), “Ayyam al-Ghadab” (“Days of Wrath”), and “Abnaa al-Qahr” (“Sons of Oppression”).

Bselis was a cultural pioneer, deeply committed to preserving the Syriac musical identity. Her artistic partnership with Kwefati gave birth to a unique project centered on an authentic Syrian sound — free from imitation or external influence. One of her final works, the hymn “Al-Wasiyyah al-Akhira” (“The Last Testament”), recorded while battling cancer, stands as a testament to her spiritual resilience and unwavering faith, inspired by Myrna of Soufanieh’s mystical visions. This work, completed shortly before her passing, reflects her deep devotion to preserving and serving her authentic Syriac (Chaldean–Assyrian–Aramean) religious and cultural heritage.

Bselis was far more than a singer; she was a symbol of artistic integrity and cultural endurance. Through her voice, she carried the story of Syriac (Chaldean-Assyrian-Aramean) people to the world, leaving behind a musical heritage that continues to inspire generations.