“Beehives” project in Damascus revives fabric recycling handicraft

Syrian women, through collective projects, contribute effectively to reviving ancient traditional handicrafts to protect them from extinction and introduce them to the new generation. 

From thread and needle, the “Beehives”  project for recycling fabric was launched by a group of Syrian women who were like bees, active, cooperative, and passionate about work and who contributed to reviving the fabric recycling handicraft. 

 “First, the name of the project (Beehives) was chosen so that the work and humanitarian goals would be our starting point,” the project director, Dr. Sahar Al-Basir,  told SANA   

 She added “ This project was established in 2011 as an environmental craft development project, to revive the craft of textile recycling which is about to disappear”, stressing that this project was welcomed by all segments of society, and supported by the Ministries of Culture and Tourism, “ Wathiqat Watan” ( homeland Document) Foundation as well as several charitable societies. 

The aim of the project, according to Dr. Al-Basir, is to restore the cultural and social formation that was affected by the circumstances of the war, and to transfer this heritage to future generations with honesty and care.  

Al-Basir explained “ Based on the name of the project, we carry out systematic training that provides the trainee with the rank of a bee, so that she will be able to produce honey, which is the high-quality Syrian handmade product using needle, thread, and used fabrics with nearly zero capital based on local Syrian culture”. She indicated that after trainee graduates, she will be able to own a project or join the management of a beehive project as a trainer. 

Al-Basir pointed out that 60 female trainers from different governorates have graduated, and each one of them was awarded a certificate proving a craft from the Union of Craftsmen, which is an internationally recognized certificate.  

She indicated that work is underway on the “Doors of Life” project in cooperation with the General Administration of Antiquities and Museums under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture to link between tangible heritage and intangible heritage. About 23 trainees from various governorates are taking part in this project, she clarified. 

Rawaa Ghanam