03 Good Night, Leila

لَيْلَةٌ سَعِيدَةٌ يَا لَيْلَ

Hurghada |

Egypt

Arabic

Behind the scenes

This text was born from two inspirations that came together during a stay in Hurghada, on the shores of the Red Sea.

The first comes from my fascination with Arabic first names, which carry meaning even before identifying a person. Layla (ليلى) means “night”-not just the absence of light, but a dense, enveloping, almost protective night.

The second inspiration was more physical: the waves of the Red Sea gently rocked me. Their slow, steady rhythm gave me the idea of a conscious lullaby that soothes us. A simple invitation: rest your head, open your arms, breathe. Take the time to feel and reconnect with nature.

By bringing these two inspirations together, I found the title Layla saʿīda yā Laylā (لَيْلَةٌ سَعِيدَةٌ يَا لَيْلَى), which moves like a sound wave, flowing back and forth.

Echoes of the world

In Arabic, many words are built on a root of three consonants. The word for night (layl لَيْل) is formed from the consonants L-Y-L, while the name Layla (ليلى, Laylā) is a poetic variation meaning “she of the night.” One structure, many nuances.

Arabic writing gives prominence to consonants; short vowels are often indicated by small marks above or below the letters and are sometimes left implicit. Long vowels-ā, ī, ū-stretch out, giving the language a flowing, wave-like movement.

Arabic is read almost as it is breathed. Certain phrases naturally sway, like Laylā saʿīda yā Laylā (لَيْلَةٌ سَعِيدَةٌ يَا لَيْلَى).