The “Gate of the Sun” cultural festival made its way to the heart of the capital, Damascus, carrying the spirit and creativity of the Syrian revolution, an event that was the first of its kind. The two-day festival, held at the historic Khan Asaad Pasha, was organized by the Khaizaran Cultural Forum under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, providing a bridge reconnecting Idlib and Damascus through the language of art and words.
Art Tells the Epic Story…
The festival’s highlight was an art exhibition featuring 70 paintings by 18 Idlib artists, all created during the years of the revolution under siege and bombardment. The works, ranging from realistic to symbolic and expressive, presented a visual record of the struggle for freedom and the rejection of tyranny, honoring the martyrs of the revolution, and embodying the beauty of Syria and the belief in the inevitability of its victory.
Words That Resist Forgetfulness
The literary aspect featured a storytelling meeting bringing together Idlib writers who carried the revolution’s cause to the most prominent Arab platforms, having won prestigious awards. These authors included Mustafa Shahoud, Muhammad Fateh Zaidani, Muhammad Ali Afara, Ammar al-Amir, and the young talent Jawaher Yassin. The writers presented texts carrying a mixture of melancholy and defiance, using diverse narrative styles ranging from narative, dialogue, satire, and poetry—yet all emphasizing that the pen remains a weapon against oppression and forgetfulness.
Building a Unified Syria
While attending the event, Anas al-Daghim, Director of Cultural Centers at the Ministry of Culture, emphasized “Syria is a country of civilization that has produced a culture embracing all kinds of beauty.” He expressed his admiration for the creative works on display, which “opened up beautiful green spaces.” He affirmed the ministry’s support for such festivals, describing them as “the gateway to the bright light that Syria deserves.”
Ammar al-Amir, Director of the Khaizaran Cultural Forum, explained this activity was the forum’s first outside Idlib post liberation, and had been a dream of the participants for years. He noted the works on display reflect different stages of the revolution, considering that “art is a unifying element in building a civilized Syria.”
Creativity a Tool for Construction
Artist Ammar Seifo spoke about his participation with paintings representing his career since 2011, considering art “the most refined tool of expression” for highlighting the suffering of northern Syria. Artist Nabil Yusuf believed art in the new Syria must carry aspirations for change and contribute to human development.
Aziz Asmar, known for his revolutionary murals, expressed his happiness at participating with a painting ode to freedom, dedicated to kidnapped Civil Defense volunteer Hamza al-Amarin. He also highlighted the efforts of the mural collective, “Brush of a Nation,” team in breaking down the barriers left behind by the former regime. The festival closed with a musical evening, concluding an exceptional cultural encounter embodying the ability of creativity to endure and build bridges of connection.
