Lara Fabian’s Alphabet: Love, Volcanoes, and Pancakes
Lara Fabian’s Alphabet: Love, Volcanoes, and Pancakes
In the editorial section “Alphabet,” Lara Fabian shares her thoughts on love, volcanoes, and pancakes.
B – Barbra
Barbra Streisand. For me, her voice is the greatest of all that I know. She is the reason I decided to start singing. If I had to name only one performer who inspired me, it would definitely be her. I was very lucky to meet her. She did me a great honor by calling and asking for the score of my song “Broken Vow” to make a cover of it.
F – Films
I love watching a good movie! It’s one of the things our family enjoys doing together. I really love Italian and French cinema, but I can also enjoy a good and fun Hollywood movie. I was lucky to participate in several film projects. For example, Esmeralda from the Canadian version of Disney’s “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” speaks and sings in my voice. It was an interesting experience. I also played a small role in the film “De-Lovely” about Cole Porter. I sang the title song “For Always” in Spielberg’s “A.I. Artificial Intelligence,” and the song “Dream Within” in “Final Fantasy.” I would like to play a leading role in a film, but so far, I haven’t received a script that suits me. All the offers I’ve received have been for the role of a singer, which is not the kind of challenge that interests me. Who knows, maybe one day it will happen.
I – “I Will Love Again”
This song was a major turning point in my international career. It was a number one hit on the dance charts for several weeks in the USA and many other countries. Actually, this song took me out of my comfort zone, as I didn’t consider myself a dance-pop artist. I enjoyed it and was amazed by its success, but I thought it wasn’t very suitable for an artist of my type. I had a very serious disagreement with my then record label, Sony Music, about the musical direction. But over time, I accepted this song as part of my diverse musical world and enjoy performing it on my current tour.
L – Love
I can’t think of a more important word than this. People often ask me why I write and sing about love so often. My answer is: “Love is my personal quest. Love in any form, between lovers, the love of parents for a child, for our best friends.” I believe that our society encourages us to express many things, but not enough love. That’s why I wrote my last album “Ma vie dans la tienne.” The album consists of love letters in the form of songs: for my mother, daughter, husband, best friend. All the compositions are my personal love stories, but at the same time, anyone can dedicate them to their loved ones.
M – Montreal
This is the city where my soul feels completely at peace. I moved to Canada when I was very young. The people of Quebec welcomed me warmly, and I became one of them. I am proud to consider myself Canadian by choice and Belgian by origin. Life made me leave this wonderful city, but a big part of my heart and soul remained there. I look forward to returning there with my family. Every day I miss the clear skies of Montreal and the light in the eyes and hearts of the people of this city. And I know that I will return.
O – Onsen
Japanese hot springs. Onsen baths are an integral part of Japanese culture and a wonderful experience for tourists. I am fascinated by Japanese civilization and culture. The Japanese love the sense of aesthetics in everything: in objects, art, food, dance. One of my closest friends in Paris is Japanese. During our next big family trip, we will travel around Japan. I will try to immerse myself as much as possible in the local customs and culture with the help of this friend.
P – Pancakes
This is one of the dishes that my little daughter makes excellently. Everyone in the family loves to cook and eat. This is due to the Sicilian origins of my mother and my husband. Cooking is a passion that we share with our daughter Lou. She is 8, but I assure you that she makes the best pancakes in the world. One day she told me: “Mom, when I grow up, I will cook better than you… I will become a chef.” And when you taste her pancakes, you understand that she is right.
V – Volcano
As a child, I grew up in the shadow of Mount Etna in Catania, Sicily. Between the fire and lava of the volcano and the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. My mother came to Belgium after marrying my Belgian father. But I grew up under the influence of both cultures. Most of my mother’s relatives still live in this city. By the way, my husband is also from this city. Italian music, food, a certain way of expressing emotions, laughing and crying from the heart – all this is part of my ethnic identity. When I sing the song “Caruso,” written by the great Lucio Dalla, I pay tribute to this beautiful country, which is part of my DNA.
Z – “J’ai Zappé”
The name of one of my songs from the album “Pure.” The title translates to “I Changed the Channel.” This is a song I wrote back in 1997 after watching a lot of depressing and bad news on TV: wars, terror, natural disasters, crises… The song’s lyrics say: “So I changed the channel to see something else. I prayed with all my might for everything to fall into place. If there is someone up there, let us start with a clean slate.” I would like the song to lose its relevance after 20 years, but unfortunately, the current troubled times make it even more relevant. The desire to change the channel is a natural reaction, but of course, not a solution.
Prepared by Maria Stolyarova
Translation: Sergey Bokhan
With the assistance of the concert agency “Atom Entertainment”
