Corona: an added spice to Syrian creativity

A phenomenon to draw attention to, is the unrelenting Syrian artistic activities in the middle of the strengthening of precautionary and preventive measures taken by the Syrian government to address the Corona virus. Whereas some communities had followed a hysteric attitude to all the exceptional events taking place in the world by spreading panic and fear around themselves and others; Syrian people has been so far innovative in inventing survival strategies through 10 years of wartimes, so a virus for them is only an added spice to their daily struggle to surpass the aftermath of war.

The Syrian cultural life is no exception; Syrian artists have created virtual platforms either personal or professional to expose their art to audience in their homes, by organizing live streaming concerts, online pictures and paintings exhibitions, daily virtual meetings to read their poetry and fragments of their literary work.

 Even outside Syria, Syrians have shown great solidarity with their new communities: like the Athrodeel band a Syrian couple living in Spain, has launched from their home “Shibak Betna” Initiative spreading hope in dark times singing at their open window every day to support their neighborhood in those tough times.  If you search on their Facebook page, you will discover what the “Athrodeel” band is all about, you will only bear one thing in mind , their quote: “Let’s change the sound of war with the sound of music.”, which is the quote of their mission in life.

The band members consist of married Syrian musicians, guitarist Ahmad Diab and soprano Aseel Massoud, who are currently performing in Europe since the start of their project “Love in Syria”. “Athrodeel”, is a Syrian word that means “Mawtini” (my homeland), a word that means everything to the musicians, which was why they have chosen the word as the name of their band.  The couple, residing in Barcelona, revealed in a press statement that their project aims to introduce Syrian music to Europe.

In addition to the Ministry of Culture, which has created virtual platforms after the suspension of all their direct activities, to present all genres of cultural products of its directorates to the audiences inside and outside Syria.

In a statement to SANA, the Ministry drew the attention to the necessity of continuing to provide the public with literary and artistic products to consolidate our civilized identity by investing in social media (Facebook, YouTube, Telegram and Instagram channels); and to re-broadcast festivals, music concerts, films and plays organized by General Film Foundation films and Opera house. The ministry also launched, according to the statement, a virtual art exhibition for most important paintings acquired by the Directorate of Fine Arts for a group of Syrian contemporary artists; as well as the possibility to download electronic books issued by the Syrian General Commission Book.

In view of the suspension of cultural centers activities throughout the four corners of the country, the Ministry has presented a direct presentation of poetry and fictional evenings held by these centers in various governorates.  The Ministry of culture offered the opportunity to children at home to share with the public their talents by sending paintings, poems and theatrical performances through the Child Culture Directorate and the magazines of Usama and Shama.

A people who have defeated all kinds of fears particularly the fear of death, will not be defeated by a virus, but will find in any obstacle a kind of challenge to express and present beauty through art.

Report: Lama Alhassanieh