{
  "id": 7776963,
  "title": "Syria's first Art Week seeks to revive cultural scene after years of war",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/syrias-first-art-week-seeks-to-revive-cultural-scene-after-years-of-7776963",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-16T11:34:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/art-design/2026/09/16/syrias-first-art-week-seeks-to-revive-cultural-scene-after-years-of-war/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Syria's inaugural Art Week, spearheaded by Line Kouwatli, sought to rejuvenate a war-torn cultural landscape. The week-long event in Damascus featured 47 Syrian artists, alongside musical performances, cinema screenings, and art talks. The choice of the Warda Masar venue, previously abandoned and scarred by war, lent the event an added layer of significance. Works displayed in the exhibition delved into themes of everyday life, childhood, and human emotions, utilizing diverse styles and techniques. Some artists incorporated remnants of war into their pieces, transforming objects associated with death and destruction into symbols of life and hope in Damascus and across Syria.\n\nKouwatli emphasized the importance of featuring both young and established artists, hoping to create a sustainable platform to support Syrian artists. The event aimed to draw an international audience to Damascus, with over 100 visitors from abroad attending within the first two days. For photojournalist Ghaith Alsayed, participating in Art Week was particularly meaningful. \"Standing here in Damascus next to my photographs is something I honestly never imagined,\" he expressed. Alsayed's exhibit included photographs capturing pivotal moments of Syria's recent history, such as images from the military offensive that led to the collapse of Bashar Al Assad's regime in December 2024.\n\nKouwatli underscored the role of culture in Syria's reconstruction, stating that artists must be integral to rebuilding the nation. \"A country cannot be rebuilt unless its culture is being worked on,\" she added. Organizers sought to establish a broader ecosystem for Syria's cultural scene, providing artists with a platform to share their stories of resilience, memory, and challenges with audiences both within and outside Syria. The organizers expressed their hope for Art Week to become an annual event, cementing Damascus as a hub for Syria's thriving art and cultural scene.",
  "summary": "Syria’s first Art Week has brought together 47 Syrian artists who are seeking to revive a cultural landscape shaped by years of war and upheaval . The week-long event in Damascus, founded and curated by Line Kouwatli, features artists mainly based in Syria, alongside musical performances, cinema screenings and art talks. Syria’s creative sector has faced challenges for years. These include the…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "Syria's first Art Week seeks to revive cultural scene after years of war",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/syrias-first-art-week-seeks-to-revive-cultural-scene-after-years-of",
        "published": "2026-09-16T11:34:46.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}