Exploring the Syrian war through the country’s arts and culture scene. https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/arts-culture/rss en Arts & Culture Thu, 01 Mar 2018 12:30:00 +0000 Alessandria Masi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2018/03/01/writing-syria-history-as-a-form-of-resistance https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2018/03/01/writing-syria-history-as-a-form-of-resistance Alia Malek, author of “The Home That Was Our Country” speaks to Syria Deeply about the process of rediscovering parts of Syrian history that have long been lost or erased. Arts & Culture Displacement Wed, 28 Feb 2018 05:00:00 +0000 Alessandria Masi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/02/28/writing-syria-wendy-pearlmans-oral-history-of-the-revolution https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/02/28/writing-syria-wendy-pearlmans-oral-history-of-the-revolution Wendy Pearlman, author of “We Crossed a Bridge and It Trembled,” speaks to Syria Deeply about how the conflict changed the way displaced Syrians tell their stories, and the shift from hope to disillusionment and eventually despair. Arts & Culture Thu, 07 Dec 2017 02:13:03 +0000 Arwa al-Basha, Florence Massena https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/12/07/women-at-the-forefront-of-saving-syrias-heritage https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/12/07/women-at-the-forefront-of-saving-syrias-heritage Syrian women at home and abroad are leading efforts to safeguard Syria’s cultural heritage and ensure that traditions are preserved in the wake of years of conflict and widespread displacement. Arts & Culture Wed, 15 Nov 2017 13:03:39 +0000 Alessandria Masi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/11/15/conversations-turning-fear-into-fiction-and-hope-for-the-future https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/11/15/conversations-turning-fear-into-fiction-and-hope-for-the-future In 19-year-old Syrian medical student Nabeel Kallas’s upcoming novel “When the Jasmine Returns,” a group of young friends in Damascus strive to maintain a sense of normalcy against the backdrop of the Syrian conflict. Arts & Culture Civil Society Mon, 18 Sep 2017 13:32:01 +0000 Tom Rollins https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/09/18/pixels-of-war-photographing-damascus-from-besieged-rooftops https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/09/18/pixels-of-war-photographing-damascus-from-besieged-rooftops In this installment of ‘Pixels of War,’ our series on Syrian photographers, Faris al-Khattab discusses his view of Damascus from a besieged village in the south of the capital and a looming reconciliation deal in the area. Arts & Culture Tue, 05 Sep 2017 11:39:29 +0000 A.J. Naddaff https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/09/05/photographing-the-house-of-assad https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/09/05/photographing-the-house-of-assad Franco-Syrian photographer Ammar Abd Rabbo discusses his experience covering two Assad presidencies and how his work changed when the Syrian war started. Arts & Culture Fri, 07 Jul 2017 12:54:58 +0000 Mohammad Khair Alhamwi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/07/07/why-syria-no-longer-plays-a-leading-role-in-ramadan-tv-dramas https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/07/07/why-syria-no-longer-plays-a-leading-role-in-ramadan-tv-dramas Syria’s famed Ramadan TV dramas have slowly started to reappear in recent years, with the plot-lines increasingly focused on the war. This year, however, many of the productions were postponed, halted or went unsold and did not air during the holy month. Arts & Culture Mon, 26 Jun 2017 11:35:33 +0000 Arwa al-Basha https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/06/26/scavenging-for-books-beneath-the-rubble-in-daraa https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/06/26/scavenging-for-books-beneath-the-rubble-in-daraa Teachers and volunteers in a rural Daraa town are braving bullets and airstrikes to rescue books from beneath the wreckage and stock a new public library. Their aim is to assist local students in the difficult task of finding resources in war-torn Syria. Arts & Culture ISIS Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Mon, 12 Jun 2017 14:27:01 +0000 Kim Bode https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/06/12/new-documentary-traces-the-rise-of-isis https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/06/12/new-documentary-traces-the-rise-of-isis In his new documentary, “Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS,” filmmaker Nick Quested traces the geopolitical decisions that unwittingly contributed to the Syrian conflict and the rise of the so-called Islamic State. Arts & Culture Wed, 07 Jun 2017 12:09:00 +0000 Jihii Jolly https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/06/07/journalists-challenge-syrian-media-to-improve-gender-coverage-in-war-2 https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/06/07/journalists-challenge-syrian-media-to-improve-gender-coverage-in-war-2 The Syrian Female Journalists’ Network was founded to ensure better coverage of gender issues and better representation of women in newsrooms in the midst of the country’s protracted conflict. Milia Eidmouni tells News Deeply how they do it. Arts & Culture Solutions Thu, 18 May 2017 14:02:53 +0000 Fatima Mohie-Eldin https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/05/18/graphic-novels-games-bring-syrian-refugees-stories-to-new-audiences-2 https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/05/18/graphic-novels-games-bring-syrian-refugees-stories-to-new-audiences-2 Recent mobile app games, comics and graphic novels are seeking to bring refugee voices to the fore through these new mediums for information-sharing and storytelling. Arts & Culture Fri, 24 Mar 2017 12:16:36 +0000 Alessandria Masi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/03/24/preserving-the-past-in-damascus-builds-hope-for-the-future https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/03/24/preserving-the-past-in-damascus-builds-hope-for-the-future Historian and political analyst Sami Moubayed discusses his efforts to preserve the Syrian capital’s archives and cultural history and the war’s impact on the country’s many ancient sites and artifacts. Arts & Culture Human Rights Fri, 24 Mar 2017 09:39:17 +0000 Kim Bode https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/03/24/syrias-disappeared-exposes-the-horror-of-detention-centers https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/03/24/syrias-disappeared-exposes-the-horror-of-detention-centers Filmmakers Sara Afshar and Nicola Cutcher spent two years interviewing survivors of Syrian detention centers and the families of detainees and defectors from the regime for their documentary “Syria’s Disappeared: The Case Against Assad.” Arts & Culture Mon, 13 Mar 2017 13:47:59 +0000 Kim Bode https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/03/13/evgeny-afineevskys-cries-of-syria-traces-five-years-of-war https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/03/13/evgeny-afineevskys-cries-of-syria-traces-five-years-of-war Oscar-nominated director Evgeny Afineevsky interviewed almost 100 people for his new documentary ‘Cries from Syria,’ which tells the history of the conflict through the stories of some of the conflict’s most ‘iconic’ personalities. Arts & Culture Civil Society Fri, 14 Oct 2016 13:38:43 +0000 Artino https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/10/14/pixels-of-war-photographing-the-siege-in-eastern-ghouta https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/10/14/pixels-of-war-photographing-the-siege-in-eastern-ghouta In the first installment of “Pixels of War,” our diary series on Syrian journalists, Artino describes his time as a war photographer, wanted by the regime, in besieged Eastern Ghouta. Arts & Culture Government & Pro-Government Forces Wed, 28 Sep 2016 13:53:50 +0000 Mat Nashed https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2016/09/28/bashar-al-assad-should-look-at-this-painting https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2016/09/28/bashar-al-assad-should-look-at-this-painting Syrian artist Leila Said Hassou discusses the question that inspired her paintings in her first art exhibition in Turkey: What is at the root of extraordinary, sometimes incomprehensible, violence? Arts & Culture Government & Pro-Government Forces Mon, 26 Sep 2016 12:49:21 +0000 Muhammad Kheir al-Hamwi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/09/26/damascus-book-fair-returns-with-an-agenda https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/09/26/damascus-book-fair-returns-with-an-agenda The Damascus International Book Fair is back in the Syrian capital. But the war has taken a severe toll on the cultural event, with pro-government political books, Iranian religious literature and self-care manuals now taking center stage. Arts & Culture Displacement Solutions Thu, 15 Sep 2016 13:28:24 +0000 Sandra Prüfer https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/09/15/telling-syrias-stories-through-the-art-of-cross-cultural-friendship https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/09/15/telling-syrias-stories-through-the-art-of-cross-cultural-friendship When Reham Abo al-Nojoom fled Syria, she had to abandon her life as an artist. Now, in collaboration with German sculptor Astrid Hilt, she uses her works to serve as a “cultural ambassador” for the home she left behind. Arts & Culture Displacement Solutions Thu, 15 Sep 2016 10:19:54 +0000 Gregory Beals https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/09/15/photo-essay-preparing-refugee-children-for-a-digital-future-2 https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/09/15/photo-essay-preparing-refugee-children-for-a-digital-future-2 Asem Hasna, from Syria, learned about do-it-yourself technologies after losing a leg in the conflict. Now living in Germany, where he has sought asylum, he wants to pass on the “science of the future” to refugee children. Arts & Culture War Economy Thu, 07 Jul 2016 06:43:40 +0000 Al-Basel Tadrous https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/07/07/conversations-selling-military-antiques-in-wartime https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/07/07/conversations-selling-military-antiques-in-wartime As part of our effort to highlight civilian stories, Syria Deeply spoke to Abu Abdo, an antique shop owner in Eastern Ghouta, one of the heaviest-hit areas in the war-ravaged country, who has kept his business open in the face of the utmost adversity. Arts & Culture Displacement Thu, 05 May 2016 03:20:48 +0000 William Mathis https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/05/05/young-film-directors-highlight-the-people-of-zaatari https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/05/05/young-film-directors-highlight-the-people-of-zaatari Following refugee families and an aid worker fighting to keep the camp running, a new film produced by two young filmmakers and backed by Daily Show star Jon Stewart allows viewers to experience what it is like to live in Zaatari, the largest camp for Syrian refugees. Arts & Culture Displacement Government & Pro-Government Forces Thu, 05 May 2016 03:04:24 +0000 Alexander Schinis https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/05/05/naila-al-atrash-discusses-theater-censorship-and-exile https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/05/05/naila-al-atrash-discusses-theater-censorship-and-exile Damascene director and actress Nalia al-Atrash talks about the challenges of dissidence and censorship under Assad, the changing role of theater throughout the Syrian conflict, and coming to terms with a life in exile. Arts & Culture Thu, 17 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000 Zuhour Mahmoud https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/03/17/the-art-of-the-uprising-turned-war-in-syria https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/03/17/the-art-of-the-uprising-turned-war-in-syria Syria Deeply looks back at some of the history and evolution of the country’s revolutionary art over the past five years of war, including political graffiti, digital art and other mediums that have become part of the language and culture of the uprising. Arts & Culture Civil Society Innovation Mon, 29 Feb 2016 00:00:00 +0000 Matt Weiser https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2016/02/29/futuristic-new-tool-in-cloud-seeding-drones https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2016/02/29/futuristic-new-tool-in-cloud-seeding-drones Cloud seeding is an important tool that’s been used in California to boost the mountain snowpack. It’s often done by aircraft flying in dangerous storm conditions. Now drones are poised to take over some of that work, possibly alleviating some of the risk and saving money. Arts & Culture Civil Society War Economy Thu, 10 Dec 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Youmna al-Dimashqi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2015/12/10/diy-in-damascus-besieged-rooftop-gardens https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2015/12/10/diy-in-damascus-besieged-rooftop-gardens Green rooftops are popping up across Damascus in neighborhoods under government siege. With no sign of the blockade letting up and no available agricultural land, residents in the rebel-held areas of the capital are making use of open roofs, sunlight and seeds to feed their families. Arts & Culture Tue, 03 Nov 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Dylan Collins https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2015/11/03/this-is-exile-qa-with-director-mani-benchelah https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2015/11/03/this-is-exile-qa-with-director-mani-benchelah From war-torn homes to near permanent refugee status, Syrian children in Lebanon are living in a situation of never-ending insecurity, award-winning film-maker Mani Benchelah tells Syria Deeply. His film provides an intimate view into the lives of a generation whose world has been turned upside down. Arts & Culture Civil Society Fri, 30 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Fadi Zaidan https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2015/10/30/i-belong-to-syria-a-young-journalists-return-to-aleppo https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2015/10/30/i-belong-to-syria-a-young-journalists-return-to-aleppo Zaina Erhaim has taken the road less traveled. In London pursuing her M.A. when the revolution in Syria began, she chose to go against the stream of refugees fleeing the violence and return to use her skills as a journalist to help her country and her people. Arts & Culture Civil Society Mon, 26 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Tamer Osman https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2015/10/26/aleppos-little-architect-imagining-a-brighter-future-for-syria https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2015/10/26/aleppos-little-architect-imagining-a-brighter-future-for-syria Fourteen-year-old Muhammad Qteish spends weeks in his room in Syria’s war-torn city of Aleppo, gluing together small pieces of colored paper. Known around town as “the little architect,” Muhammad has spent months creating the new Aleppo, the Aleppo he hopes to help build once all the fighting is over. Arts & Culture Civil Society Education Tue, 04 Aug 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Wassim Al-Adel https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2015/08/04/dont-forget-about-me-the-syrian-girl-who-wanted-to-write https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2015/08/04/dont-forget-about-me-the-syrian-girl-who-wanted-to-write This is the final post in our nine-part chronicle of one organization’s determination to bring hope and healing to Syrian refugees through innovative education. Arts & Culture Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Wed, 08 Jul 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Omar Abdallah https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2015/07/08/syrians-worry-palmyras-history-will-be-erased-%e2%80%a8%e2%80%a8 https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2015/07/08/syrians-worry-palmyras-history-will-be-erased-%e2%80%a8%e2%80%a8 Syria Deeply spoke to locals in Palmyra about what it means to them as ISIS tightens its grip on the historic city.