Best Photograph

Best Photograph

Jamal Saidi (Co-Winner)
Jamal Saidi
Bulbul (Nightingale). 100x80 cm
The image captures a bulbul gracefully suspended in mid-air over a patch of deep purple wildflowers near the village of Khiyam in South Lebanon in the summer of 2020. With wings spread wide in elegant flight, it represents the free and resilient spirit of the Lebanese people, who remains dedicated to the pursuit of love and beauty in the face of environmental challenges and change.

The nightingale is famous throughout the world for the beauty of its song, but the bulbul, known as the ‘nightingale of the East’, holds special significance for its melodious voice and cheerful demeanour.

With its bright and conversational timbre, the nightingale announces the beginning of spring and can be found throughout Lebanon in areas above sea level until the end of autumn. People raise these friendly and gentle birds in their houses as beloved pets. Given its unique vocal patterns, ‘bulbul’ is frequently used colloquially in Arabic to describe a person who speaks eloquently. As these birds are most often seen in pairs, they have also become a classic symbol of life-long romantic love and beauty in poetry and literature. In her song ‘Rouh ya bulbul’ Fairouz serenades the special place this bird holds in people’s hearts.
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