Syrian culture in 2021 witnesses local revitalization and remarkable international presence

  Syrian culture, which has suffered since 2011 the repercussions of the terrorist war, boycott and siege campaigns and unilateral economic measures, has maintained its dynamism for ten years. It has achieved in 2021 a renaissance in the field of strengthening its presence locally and internationally. The most prominent event was UNESCO’s inclusion of Al-Qudud Al-Halabiya (Traditional Songs of Aleppo) on the list of human heritage..

Culture in Syria has benefited from the return of security and safety to many provinces. Despite the siege and boycott campaigns, culture in Syria has won many awards and has attended major international competitions at the level of individuals and institutions in literature, theater, cinema, composition, foreign book fairs, humanitarian initiatives, and others.

 

It’s noteworthy to mention the death of many prominent Syrian creative personalities in songs, drama, composition, poetry and criticism, causing a real and painful loss, but hope remains for the Syrian-born generations.

The following is a glimpse on some of the most prominent cultural harvests in 2021:

Syrian cartoonist Murhaf Youssef won first prize at the International Oscar Fest in Croatia.

The writer Rawaa Sonbol won first place in the Arab Theater Authority competition.

Young dancer Carmel Al-Suleiman won the gold medal in the international “Ballet Beyond Borders” competition.

Syrian expatriate Muhammad Issam Mahho won the Academy Award for education.

Creating two departments  for the National Theater in Homs and Hama.

The Syrian Book Fair was held in Damascus and the provinces.

Injured director Bilal Haidar won an award in Algeria for his film “Curiosity”.

13-year-old piano player Wadih Nahal won first place in the International Competition for Musicians in Moscow.

The play “Selfie” won 4 awards at the University Theater Festival in the Sultanate of Oman.

 “A Very Ordinary Day” won gold at the Alexandria Short Film Festival.

Expatriate researcher Hala Qasqas launched the Damascene Heritage Archives website.

“Photograph” wins the Best Integrated Short Film Award at the Souss International Festival in Morocco.

Coral Arjwan got first place at the International Art Festival in Bulgaria.

Restoration of Al-Zahir Baybars towers and the church in Crack de Chevalier in Homs countryside.

Syrian poets won first place in “Al-Quds For Us” International Conference competition.

Maestro Misak Baghbudrian was awarded the title of Honorary Conductor of the Orchestra of South Korea.

The Antiquities and Museums Directorate  completed the restoration of five icons of historical and cultural importance.

Five Syrian children won first places in a literary competition in Kuwait.

The art lab of Al-Suwayda Department of Antiquities restored more than 600 artifacts dating back to different eras.

Artist Raed Khalil won an award at the World Press Festival in Portugal.

Two Syrian writers topped the lists of winners in Mandela International Prize for Literature.

An exhibition of Syrian antiquities in Shenzhen, China.

A Syrian student with a special talent in playing won first place in the comprehensive creativity competition at the International Festival in Petersburg, Russia.

“Sons of the Impossible” won the Best Film Award at the Swedish Film Festival.

The documentary “Above Earth” won the Audience Award at the Oko International Film Festival.

A Syrian film won the Best Film Editing Award at a festival in Brazil.

The “Paths of the World” carnival celebrated the civilizations and cultures of 22 countries.

Syrian cinema won three awards at the Alexandria Festival.

The Ugaritarian chant of worship was performed at Expo 2020 Dubai.

The opening of the Syrian Book Fair entitled “Our Book is Our Tomorrow” at Al-Assad National Library, with the participation of 48 publishing houses.

“My River.. My Sea” won the Jury Prize at the International Festival of Cinema in Morocco.

UNESCO included Alqudud Al-Halabiyya on the list of human heritage.

 “About Her” won the award for best director at the Deshira Film Festival in Morocco.

Inas Abdulkareem