Syrian Arts and Culture Festival: Looking Back To Move Forward Panel

The risk of losing Syria’s rich and diverse heritage, whether through conflict, loss or natural disasters, has mobilised individuals to take action to recover and protect it.

Syrians both inside and outside Syria have taken it upon themselves to research, document and preserve threatened historical and cultural narratives, opening up opportunities for reflection, exchange and learning. Such civic responses have resulted in the creation of a burgeoning number of inspirational projects and initiatives on which the global community can draw.

At present, contemporary practitioners engaged in heritage preservation have not only been redefining the meaning of heritage, but also instigating innovative ways in which heritage, both tangible and intangible, can be protected and made widely accessible.

Importantly such initiatives confront processes of deliberate erasure. They also contribute towards re-thinking what it means to be Syrian today, by bringing about new possibilities for a contemporary collective identity.

Creative responses that recognise and celebrate the diverse cultures and traditions of both ancient and present-day Syria, as well as highlight their contribution to world heritage, not only work towards safeguarding them in the present, but also secure access in the future for generations to come.

This panel event brings together four leading creative producers all of whom have an interest in preserving Syria’s cultural heritage: author and journalist Lina Sinjab, architect and artist Dr. Ammar Azzouz, co-founder of Qisetna Dima Mekdad, and leader of the London Syrian Ensemble, Louai Alhenawi. The evening will also feature a pre-recorded contribution from Damascus-based project, Sandouk Alhakaya.

The panel will be moderated by Alia Alzougbi.

Part of the London

This event is presented in partnership with Shubbak, Ettijahat and Zamakan. Part of the Against Disappearance series, supported by the British Council Cultural Protection Fund which is led by the British Council in partnership with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

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Keeping You Safe

We are excited to bring people together in person for this event. In order to help keep each other safe, please note the following:

- All ticket holders are asked to take a Lateral Flow Test (LFT) within 24 hours of the start of the event. All individuals in receipt of a negative test are welcome to arrive at the Museum of London in good time for the start of the event. If you test positive, we ask you not to attend the event.

- All ticket holders are asked to sanitise their hands on entering and exiting the building.

- We request that all staff and ticket holders wear face masks/visors unless medically exempt. Please try to maintain a distance of 1+ meters from other staff and audience members, the venue will be operating at 50% occupancy to allow for this.

- The Museum of London Weston Theatre is fitted with an air filter system and is regularly cleaned.

Host or Publisher Shubbak Festival