“Our message as artist is to sing beauty, freedom and love” these were the words that Lebanese singer Elissa expressed her honor at winning an award for the second time at the World Music Awards 2006 as the Best Arab artist for her latest album “Bastanak” (I’m Waiting for You).

According to the London based Elaph, Elissa’s album received the highest sales throughout the Middle East and North Africa region, marking her second time, the first being last year with the album “Hubbak Waja” (Your Love is Painful).

With this victory, Elissa is considered to be the only Lebanese to win the award. The singer is portrayed as having reached international fame with her unique style that in no way resembles that of other singers.

Elissa said while giving her acceptance speech at the event in London that she is very happy and honored at receiving the prize for a second time in a two-year time and presented the award to her country Lebanon and its people, who has suffered so much in the recent months.

She also dedicated the award to her late father and family, in addition to HRH Prince Al Waleed Bin Talal, owner of Rotana, and everyone who has backed her throughout her career.

Recently, a special invitation was presented by Elissa to every Arab woman, who is looking to rediscover her beauty. This invitation is part of a campaign for Lux elegant festival, which is currently taking place, in its fifth consecutive year.

The event will host some of the most important names of Arab fashion designers and will present fashion shows for their latest designs. VIPs from Lebanon and other countries throughout the Arab world are to be presents, in addition to a number of stars.

Elissa is Lux’s representative in the Arab world for a second year. She said that every woman remembers her childhood when she used to stand in front of a mirror and begins to fantasize on how beautiful she wishes to be, and strives throughout her life to become the beautiful woman she always dreamed of. She added that she calls on all women to be confident of the way she looks and flaunt her beauty by being as possible.

On a different note, Elissa has conquered the number one spot in the summer album competition in Egypt, which is considered the worst summer the music world has witnessed due to the different circumstances that hit the region like the disastrous Israeli raids on Lebanon.

The summer had begun with the launch of Elissa’s album “Bastanak” (I’m Waiting for you) and which sales reached as high as 350 thousand albums, indicating a decrease in the number of album sales for the singer compared to last year by 100 thousands.

© 2006 Al Bawaba