On the Frontlines: Syria and Its Arts on the Shores of a New Era
A statement from Ettijahat - Independent Culture at its first event in Damascus after 13 years
In a 2023 discussion, friend and film director Hala Alabdalla talked about her film Amiralay: Sorrow, Time, Silence, which showcases her approach to the life and legacy of the late filmmaker Omar Amiralay. She reflected, “Whether through long periods or brief moments, through silence or dialogue, through sorrow or resistance, for me these three terms encapsulate both Omar and the film.”
I quote Hala because yesterday marked the anniversary of Omar Amiralay's passing. Over the fourteen years since his departure, his memory has provided many of us with an opportunity to reflect on Omar, who, through his works and life, and his steadfast commitment to the ideals of citizenship, crafted a narrative that asserts the ability of Syrian citizens to create life in the face of decades of injustice, suppression, and silencing, and to resist tyranny in its darkest forms.
This year's anniversary feels different, not only because it rained in Damascus after a long hiatus, but also because the city—his city—seems to have reclaimed its essence. As noted by his friend and fellow artist, Youssef Abdelke yesterday, "The sky now feels closer to our hands."
Today marks the first meeting of Ettijahat in Syria following an absence of over 13 years. During this period, Syria has faced immense challenges yet has triumphed through the unyielding determination of its citizens to claim their right to choose a different path. This choice came at a high cost: oppression, killing, detention, disappearance, exclusion and the erosion of societal cohesion. The country’s fabric has been torn, its resources depleted, its present and future seized and its past distorted, with over half of its population now displaced or living as refugees, deeply dividing society both within and beyond its borders. New terms such as displacement, migration, impoverishment, asylum, murder, kidnapping, and explosive barrels have become entrenched in the daily life of the Syrian people.
In the throes of chaos, led by a criminal and violent regime that relentlessly seeks vengeance against its own people, supported by global systems that disdain life, promote exclusion and suppress fundamental human rights, namely freedom, justice and dignity, Syrians needed to remind themselves daily of their inherent rights, and the words of writer Saadallah Wannous: “What is happening today cannot be the end of history.”
From the onset of the revolution, culture and the arts were at the core of its narrative, and it was the choice of those working in this sector to align their civic duties with what they do best: art. And I speak of a large number of attendees here today and of friends who have passed away defending the right to dignity and freedom and reviving democratic life.
What has art achieved throughout these years? It has tirelessly championed the values of the peaceful revolution, directly challenging the narratives of exclusion and the pervasive forces of hatred. It has deepened our understanding of abstract ideals such as justice, rights, and freedom—concepts we had every right to question amid turmoil. Moreover, art has steadfastly asserted that the Syrian cause is just and that advocating for this cause is essential for shaping future proposals, despite the relentless brutality Syrians face globally.
For the past fourteen years, our organisation, rooted in Syria, has strived to be part of this qualitative commitment shared by artists and cultural practitioners, as individuals, associations and entities, in Syria, across the Arab region, or throughout our diverse diasporas.
We aim to maintain our stance as an intermediate organisation, and our understanding of this is to do our utmost to contribute effectively and vibrantly to the cultural and artistic sector with the various forms of creative expression it encompasses. We also aim to ensure that Syrian arts gain visibility on international stages and to bridge the gaps that have isolated Syrian artists and hindered their ability to fully exercise their rights in arts and their unique capacity to document untold stories and foster healing, countering the narratives of those who claim victory.
We tried to fulfil our mission through specific roles, which we integrated into programs that built a solid framework for production, training, research, and a variety of artistic endeavours. A decade after founding Ettijahat, we expanded these roles to include contributions from across the Levant—primarily Lebanon and Palestine—as well as the Syrian diaspora and the Arab communities in Europe. This growth was driven by our belief that the Syrian cause is fundamentally a justice issue and that fostering solidarity with other Arab regions suffering injustices is crucial to upholding the rights integral to the Syrian cause.
This understanding shaped our mission as a sustained effort to resist normalization, despite Syria's transformation into a land marked by continual disaster—a reality we couldn’t change and came to accept. Today, Syria stands as a beacon of inspiration and a source of lessons on confronting social injustice.
We are here amongst you today, convinced that this moment is historic—filled with beauty, vitality, fragility, challenges, and significant opportunities; convinced that arts and culture play a pivotal role in maintaining the unique flow of this period and addressing the inherent risks.
William Cleveland notes in his book Art and Upheaval: Artists on the Frontlines of the World, “In the face of destruction, we are compelled to create.” This sentiment resonates deeply with the essence of creating art amidst and following conflicts.
The arts empower diverse communities to engage, explore new forms of expression, and provide platforms for sharing stories that might otherwise remain unheard. In Syria, the arts have been a crucial bastion of hope amidst cultural and political oppression. Artistic and creative outputs not only enhance the uniqueness of local communities but also forge bridges of understanding and respect based on shared citizenship, thus safeguarding diversity.
Finding straightforward answers about culture may be challenging, but posing the right questions may help. It goes beyond merely acquiring technical skills or grasping cultural theories, particularly those associated with social change. It’s essential to deeply understand how Syrian communities perceive any cultural project aimed at them. Thus, any cultural initiative targeting Syria today must actively involve civil society institutions and the communities affected.
It is encouraging that cultural practitioners and artists have been diligently addressing Syria's concerns for the past fourteen years. Numerous projects, both within and outside of Syria, have proven effective and can serve as foundations for further development. Such efforts are feasible today because the necessary conditions for the cultural change we seek are aligning: breaking away from a culture of fear, establishing a framework to counteract cultural domination after decades of specific cultural production, acknowledging the presence of culturally rich Syrian communities, recognizing emerging marginalized voices, and nurturing new cultural contributors. However, these foundations for cultural change require a supportive environment to flourish, crucially including the assurance of freedom of expression in all its forms and ensuring that cultural activities continue to engage with the public sphere.
Since December 8th, Ettijahat’s team has embarked on a path of discussion and reflection concerning the mechanisms through which the organization contributes to the ongoing changes. We strive to consider all ideas and proposals from the dynamic arts’ sector, addressing today's significant national challenges, the needs of Syrian communities both locally and internationally, and the priorities within the cultural sector, including its vision and the various roles it assumes to affirm its national significance. Additionally, we explore how the cultural sector can extend its impact beyond Syria's major cities and the contributions that the artistic diaspora might offer. This ongoing dialogue, including today’s session, serves as a foundation for designing our future interventions, aiming to integrate arts and culture into public life effectively.
On behalf of the General Assembly, the Board of Directors of Ettijahat, and its executive team, I extend profound gratitude to the artists, and workers in the arts, culture, and heritage sectors who have journeyed with us both in and outside of Syria. Their dedication and responsibility towards the nation and its people have continually fueled our hope amidst numerous challenges. We hold onto the hope that our colleagues who have been forcibly disappeared will be safely returned to us, and we extend our respects to the souls of the martyrs in the arts’ sector, whose bravery and creativity have inspired us deeply.
To conclude, I return to a moment from Hala Alabdalla’s interview regarding her film about Omar Amiralay, which she began working on in 2009. When she expressed her intent to make a film about him, Omar invited her to shoot at his home in Damascus, where he spent years caring for his ailing mother. Hala was unprepared to film, but he handed her a camera and encouraged her to proceed. The footage captured was spontaneous and raw, leading to an initial draft of the film. Hala gathered the materials and traveled to prepare and returned later with a professional team. Days went by—Omar's mother passed away, followed by Omar himself.
The revolution's onset shifted Hala's focus away from the project as she navigated the transformative early days of upheaval, in its enchanting and tragic moments. In 2018, amidst the enveloping darkness, Hala remembered the forgotten materials and draft she had shat, compelling her to complete the film as a search for light in the shadows.
I wish for the arts to continue serving as a beacon, dispelling the darkness that surrounds us.
Thank you.
Abdullah Alkafri
Executive Director of Ettijahat - Independent Culture
06 February 2025, Damascus, Syria
