Damascus, Feb. 9 (SANA) The “Ishraqat” Cultural and Arts Festival launched Sunday evening at the Damascus Opera House, offering a diverse program of cultural and artistic activities that aims to support cultural recovery and reaffirm shared identity through art, heritage and memory.
The multi-day festival features fine art exhibitions, displays of intangible cultural heritage, poetry readings, intellectual seminars, as well as theatrical and musical performances, bringing together artists, cultural practitioners and audiences from different parts of Syria.
Organized by the Violet Organization under the theme “Guided by light, united by culture” the festival presents Syrian culture as an inclusive space reflecting its diversity and richness. It is held under the patronage of the Ministries of Culture and of Youth and Sports, with funding from the Government of Japan, and in coordination with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
Fine arts: contemporary vision
The opening day saw the inauguration of a fine arts exhibition featuring works by a group of Syrian artists whose diverse styles and visual approaches reflect contemporary artistic visions. The exhibited works document aspects of Syrian memory while addressing humanitarian and social themes through modern visual language.
The exhibition seeks to highlight art as a means of expression that connects personal experience with collective narratives, particularly in times of social and cultural transition.
Intangible Heritage: Preserving Syrian Identity
An exhibition dedicated to intangible cultural heritage was also opened, showcasing traditional handicrafts alongside models of Syrian cities and historical landmarks. Exhibits include representations of the Citadel of Aleppo, Bosra Amphitheatre, the Umayyad Mosque, Palmyra, and other sites reflecting Syria’s historical and architectural legacy.
The exhibition further highlights traditional crafts such as glassblowing, copper engraving, Arabic calligraphy, ceramics, mosaic art and traditional textiles, offering what organizers described as a living documentation of Syrian cultural identity and craftsmanship passed down through generations.
Theatre Addressing Detainees’ Suffering
The festival’s theatrical program opened with the performance “Below Zero,” directed by Ibrahim Sarmini, which addresses the issue of detainees and forcibly disappeared persons in the prisons of the defunct regime.
The production presents a human-centered artistic treatment relying on movement, imagery and symbolism, accompanied by expressive scenography, to convey the suffering of victims and their families and to preserve memory through artistic testimony.
At the opening, Violet Organization Executive Director Alaa al-Bakour announced the cancellation of the opening ceremony and musical evening in solidarity with displaced Syrians living in camps, stressing that the festival is being held without celebratory displays.
In a statement to SANA, al-Bakour said the festival aims to create a safe cultural space in Damascus where Syrians from different regions can share their heritage and experiences, noting that preparations for the festival took several months and included coordination with partner institutions and training of participating teams.
Culture as a Space for Recovery
The “Ishraqat” Festival continues until Thursday, featuring poetry sessions, lectures and seminars on tangible and intangible heritage, alongside additional theatrical and musical performances.
This festival comes within broader efforts to support cultural recovery in Syria, emphasizing culture and the arts as unifying tools that help restore collective memory, encourage dialogue and reaffirm a sense of belonging after years of hardship.
M.S
