Syrian theatres, museums and cultural spaces reopening and being restored in 2026
Al Hamra Theatre reopened in Damascus this month following a nearly nine-month rehabilitation, the latest Syrian cultural venue to return after years of closure, deterioration or disruption during the civil war. First opened in 1960 as part of the development of Syria’s National Theatre, the rehabilitation covered the auditorium, seating, offices, backstage areas and storage spaces. Old theatre…
Damascus saw the reopening of Al Hamra Theatre this month, concluding a nine-month restoration project. The National Theatre's oldest venue, which opened in 1960, now hosts performances such as Children's Theatre Days and the Arabic production Fella and the Seven Dwarfs. Safer cultural spaces are resuming operations across Syria, including restored theatres, museums, and artists' spaces, hosting events from concerts to children's theatre.
In Idlib, restoration efforts for Maarat Al Numan Museum, located in a 16th-century Ottoman building, are underway. The museum, known for its important Roman and Byzantine mosaics, saw damage from war strikes and subsequent wrapping of artifacts for protection. An engineering study will determine the restoration costs, and a new display scenario is in development.
Al Qabbani Theatre in Damascus, which began hosting events despite its ageing infrastructure, is set to reopen within weeks. Nawar Bulbul, director of Syria's Directorate of Theatres and Music, emphasized the importance of maintaining theatrical activity during restoration. Fateh Moudarres Studio Gallery, once a hub for Syrian artists, reopened after refurbishing Moudarres's belongings and a large mural.
The inaugural exhibition, titled Eleven Years, features works by Khaled Al Attar who recently returned to Damascus after a decade abroad.
Homs Museum reopened in August, marking its first visitor access since 2011. The museum, hosting Stone Sculpture Week from August 1 to 6, still requires a new display plan, exhibition cases, lighting, temperature control, and trained staff before full operations. Al Fayhaa Sports Hall, opened in April for the Pan Arab Games, welcomed a sold-out concert by Syrian singer Assala Nasri, her first in Damascus in 16 years, following a basketball match between Syria and Lebanon.
The Azaz Cultural Centre, opened in April with a library of 30,000 books and volumes, resumed its programme of poetry evenings, talks, and exhibitions after a period of neglect during the conflict. The Historic Orthodox Theatre in Homs, tracing its roots to 1890, began restoration in 2022 and marked its reopening in March.
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