An exhibition of the craft of Damascene paint held in the Arab Cultural Center in the Abu Rummaneh

Damascus, (ST) – In cooperation with the Directorate of Culture in Damascus, the heritage exhibition “Damascene Tales” by the craftsman Maher Bouzo was held at the Arab Cultural Center in the Abu Rummaneh neighborhood in Damascus.

The exhibition included dozens of works of home furnishings, paintings, manuscripts and various decorations that reflected the Damascene spirit in this ancient craft, and reminded visitors of a craft linked to the Damascene heritage and homes hundreds of years ago.

Bouzo pointed out in a statement to a SANA reporter the importance of illuminating an authentic profession such as the Damascene painter and displaying works that illustrate and remind people of its beauty to encourage them to revive and acquire it.

He said that naming the exhibition “Damascene Tales” came to mean that each decoration painted by the artist or craftsman using Damascene paint has its own story.

Bouzo confirmed that the craft of Damascene paint is one of the oldest crafts and naming it in Ajami is wrong because it started 1400 years ago, and the first work was in Al-Aqsa Mosque at the hands of Damascene craftsmen, and the first work in Damascus that was carried out was in the Umayyad Mosque, then it moved to the homes of notables and became one of the core of all Damascene homes.

Bouzo referred to the association of the ancient family of painters in Damascus with this profession. He said that the linguistic meaning of the word paint is colored decorations, as people used to whiten their homes before the craft of paint, and after that the term paint became more common.

Bouzo indicated that it is the responsibility of craftsmen to preserve this craft due to their small number. He pointed to their desire to hold training courses for those who wish to learn it.

Raghda Sawas