How Assala Nasri's new album maps Syria's 14 governorates through song

Assala Nasri's recent return to Damascus for a concert did not simply mark a musical performance. It was her first public appearance in the city since 2010, when she vocally backed the uprising against President Bashar Al Assad's regime. The event at Al Fayhaa Sports Hall faced opposition from religious clerics and saw promotional materials pulled down in the city. However, the concert proceeded with the backing of Syria’s Ministry of Culture, following her latest album, The Syrian Album.

The album serves as a musical map of Syria, mapping its 14 governorates through traditional folk songs. Each song is dedicated to or inspired by the musical traditions of one of Syria's official regions. For instance, Tawalo, representing Damascus, is a particularly personal track since it was sung by Assala's father, Mustafa Nasri.

The album also delves into Aleppo with Aal Rozana, a widely recognized song linked to the city's tarab tradition, and Daraa with Om El Arais, featuring the wedding repertoire of the Hauran region.

Other tracks evoke regions along the Euphrates and Deir Ezzor, along with Tartous, Hasakah, and Quneitra. Assala noted that the album combines heritage lyrics with modern musical arrangements to appeal to a new generation while retaining their cultural identity. She also mentioned that the visuals accompanying each song reflect the governorate's heritage, with Assala's outfits mirroring local traditions and craftsmanship.

The album, according to Assala, could potentially be a one-off due to the extensive detail and effort involved in its production.