“Hymns of Departure” by artist Ahmed Khalil… Today in Tartous

 Fine artist Ahmed Khalil has been fighting cancer for nine months through his brush and colors. During this period, he produced 30 paintings to be displayed in an exhibition that will be held today at   Tartous Museum garden under the title “Hymns of Departure.” The Culture Directorate in cooperation with the Department of Antiquities in Tartous holds the exhibition. The exhibition will last for ten days

In an exclusive statement to Tishreen newspaper, Khalil said, “The idea of holding the exhibition arose after I knew about my fatal cancer and severe pain that I have been living with for nine months. Therefore, I decided to start a parallel journey with my disease, even in the hospital I was painting, convinced everyone that death is death, and decided to overcome my pain by drawing. I have completed during these nine months 30 paintings using oil, acrylic, and water colors”, pointing out that the proceeds of the sold paintings will go to cancer patients in Tartous.

“I will continue to work and paint until my last breathe ,” Khalil concluded.

Head of the Antiquities Department in Tartous, Engineer Marwan Hassan, stated that all the necessary facilities have been provided for holding the exhibition of the artist Ahmed Khalil, especially that this artistic activity provides an integrated picture between the artistic and archaeological scenes.

On the other hand, Hassan added, the exhibition constitutes an interactive case with the place, which represents an important part of the city’s memory. He clarified,” the museum garden was chosen to hold this exhibition by the artist Ahmed Khalil, and we welcomed the idea, because we know well what the museum and its garden mean for the artist and his students.”

Amal Farhat