On December 19, 2025, the music world is celebrating the 110^th birth anniversary of Edith Giovanna Gassion, a woman who went down in history as Édith Piaf. She was called ‘The Sparrow of Paris’ (French: La Môme Piaf), and this image of a fragile, petite woman with a powerful, piercing voice became a symbol not only of her own tragic fate, but of all French chanson of the 20^th century.

The phenomenon of Edith Piaf lies in the fact that she did not simply sing, but lived every song on stage, putting her entire soul and emotions into it. Without formal musical training and unable to read music, she learned songs by ear, possessing impeccable musical intuition and perfect pitch.

Her vocal style was characterised by its confessional nature – each song sounded like a candid heart-to-heart conversation or a personal story. Piaf skilfully used the enormous range of her voice – from a barely audible whisper to an emotional cry – to convey the whole spectrum of emotions.

The singer did not adhere to a strict rhythm. She did not sing from sheet music, but rather as she felt, was able to stretch out a phrase or sing it faster at any moment, which gave the songs a special drama.
The recognisable timbre of her voice (slightly cracked, powerful) instantly evoked a deep emotional response from the audience. Edith Piaf succeeded in creating a unique style of French music that has been studied by many generations of singers. Her is a musical diary of her difficult life, full of love and disappointment.

It was thanks to Edith Piaf that the distinctive French chanson we know today came into being. Her songs reflect her turbulent life and continue to serve as an example for performers around the world.
Edith Piaf did not simply perform songs; she created a signature style of French pop music that influenced entire generations of singers.

Her repertoire is a chronicle of a life full of ups and downs, love and disappointment, reflected in such iconic compositions as: ‘La Vie en rose’ (‘Life in Pink’) – the song that became her signature tune and a global anthem of love.
‘Non, je ne regrette rien’ (‘No, I regret nothing’) – a philosophical work expressing the essence of her life philosophy and resilience.

Наследие Эдит Пиаф выходит за пределы музыкальных рамок, передавая атмосферу Парижа и трогая сердца слушателей по всему миру. Певица оказала огромное влияние не только на музыку, но и на культуру в целом, став символом Парижа, любимым во всем мире. Today, 110 years after her birth, the songs of Edith Piaf live on, inspiring performers of various musical genres and reminding us that great art does not need notes – it needs soul.