Elias Emen Safadi

Elias Emen Safadi (Guayaquil, 1913- Guayaquil, 2001) was an Ecuadorian musician of Lebanese descent. His father was Khalil Semaan Hemmem (Emen was put at Ecuador) (from Jdeideh, El Metn) and his mother was Virginia Safadi Reves (sister of Nicasio Safadi Rbeiz from Zahle). He married Rosa Manssur from Hbaline, Lebanon in 1936 at Catarama, Ecuador, and their sons were Elio, Rafael, Sonia and Julio.

From his early years Elias Emen was fascinated by the music, and such was his fascination that at six years old he learnt music and how to play the violin. He also was a teacher of the Spanish language and spoke Arabic and Portuguese.

Elias Emen also founded a High School for Ladies called "10 de Agosto".

He was first violin of the "Sinfonica de Guayaquil", language teacher and violin teacher.

He was the first teacher of the famous Ecuadorian violinist Jorge Saade, who always said that he was his "spiritual son".

At 2008, Jorge Saade presented a composition by the Lebanese composer Houtaf Khoury for Violin and Orchestra dedicated to Maestro Saade in the memory of Elias Emen. The Concert was performed in a World premiere in Guayaquil and received critical acclaim.

ELIAS EMEN SAFADI, PROFESOR DE MUSICA EN EL COLEGIO MERCANTIL