Biography

Safwan Bahlawan was born on Arwad Island — the world's smallest inhabited island (20 hectares) off the coast of Tartous, Syria. His father Ibrahim Bahlawan was a shipbuilder on Arwad's shore, among Syria's last traditional Phoenician boat-builders.

At age 13, he received his first oud. He mastered it in just two weeks. Within one year, he entered a competition on Syrian Television against professional adults — and won first place.

Won first place again in an amateur competition organized by Damascus Radio.

Studied at the Arab Music Institute in Cairo and in Germany under composer Henrik Fendsh — studying opera, harmony, and orchestration. One of the very few Arab musicians who holds full mastery of both Eastern and Western classical traditions.

Awarded "Best Arab Voice" at the Carthage Festival in Tunisia.

Met Mohamed Abdel Wahab in Chtaura, Lebanon. Sang "Al-Hawa Wal-Shabab" and "Ya Law'ati Wa Shaqaya" before him. A tear fell from Abdel Wahab's eye. He said: "A beautiful voice that reminds me of my youth." Bahlawan considered that tear his artistic birth certificate.

Composed "Jabhat al-Majd" (Front of Glory) — a poem by Iraq's greatest 20th-century poet, Mohammad Mahdi Al-Jawahiri. Sung by Mayada El-Hennawy with the Cairo Symphony Orchestra (100+ musicians and choir), from which an excerpt was taken to become the signature theme of the official Syrian television news bulletin for 13 consecutive years.

Awarded the Damascus Sword Medal in recognition of his artistic career.

Began a series of concerts at the Egyptian Opera House as part of the Arab Music Festival. Critics said he received a welcome no other Arab artist had ever received in the Arab art capital.

Performed a centenary concert marking 100 years since Mohamed Abdel Wahab's birth at Cairo Opera House. After that, he continued to be invited to present the celebration every year, and his tickets sold out quickly because of the heavy demand.

Performed at the Oud Festival at the Royal Opera House in Oman, returning in 2012 and 2015.

Honored by the Egyptian Ministry of Culture and Cairo Opera House. Inaugurated the Arab Music Festival in Cairo.

Composed "Land of Jasmine" in secret and kept it hidden. Years earlier, he had written and composed "The Syrian People Are One" to counter sectarian incitement. Refused for years to compose songs glorifying the Assad regime.

Performed at Cairo Opera House for Abdel Wahab's 120th birthday anniversary. Conducted by Maestro Salim Sahhab. Sold out immediately.

On November 28, 2024, his Symphony of the Captain and the Storm was performed in Syria for the first time — 37 years after its composition — by the Syrian National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Maestro Misak Baghboudarian. Bahlawan called it "a legendary concert."

After Assad's fall in December 2024, he wrote: "I was certain this day would come, and I had composed this poem (Land of Jasmine) so I could release it on this day." He had also written and composed "The Syrian People Are One" 14 years before the fall.