When Syria’s pioneering stand‑up collective Styria cancelled its shows in Hama during the country’s first Comedy Festival, co‑founder Malke Mardinali warned that “every word is being scrutinized and reports are being filed.” The incident captures how surveillance, informal pressure, and fear of denunciation still define the limits of artistic expression in Syria’s fragile post‑war cultural opening
Syrian author Khalil Sweileh’s acclaimed novel The Barbarians’ Paradise faces renewed censorship more than a decade after its first Cairo publication. Authorities demanded removal of passages depicting the Syrian conflict and changes to the text, which Sweileh refused. This episode underscores the persistent control over artistic expression in Syria and highlights the limited space for writers to challenge official narratives.
In July 2025, Syrian folk singer Omar Khairy was abducted from a wedding in his hometown of Al‑Bab by armed men who said they were acting for “general security.” Hours later, videos showed him beaten, shaved, and forced to sing under duress over his alleged praise of Bashar al‑Assad. The case reveals how rival authorities in northern Syria enforce red lines on cultural expression through intimidation and public degradation
The July 2025 eviction of Damascus’s historic Al‑Kindi Cinema by Syria’s Ministry of Religious Endowments has become a defining test of post‑Assad cultural policy, pitting promises of renewal against fears that religious and political authorities are tightening their grip on what counts as legitimate art and public memory.
In August 2025, the Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts at Damascus University ordered a ban on nude models in all graduation projects, threatening students with a grade of zero if they refused to comply. The decision triggered protests, a strong student statement, and wide online debate, reigniting long‑standing tensions over morality, religion, and artistic freedom in Syria.
In August 2025, performances of the Malas brothers’ play All Naked, and You’re Doing Fine were abruptly halted in Tartus following their public criticism of ongoing abuses. While local reports described cancelled shows and suspended workshops, the Ministry of Culture denied issuing any ban, calling it a “misunderstanding.” Performances later resumed.
Posted
CommentPost a comment
Since 2022, Ettijahat – Independent Culture’s Sanad in the Digital Realm has empowered Arab and diaspora artists to challenge censorship, reclaim memory, and create across borders. With support from Mimeta, the Asfari Foundation, and the Swedish Arts Council, the program fuels digital creativity in fragile ecosystems through mentorship, grants, and cutting-edge tools like AI and VR.
SYRIA: The Syrian TV drama Caesar, set after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, faced backlash and halted production after attempting to film inside former regime prisons. These facilities, infamous for torture and mass executions, hold deep trauma for survivors. The controversy reveals the sensitive balance between artistic expression and honoring victims’ experiences in post-conflict Syria.
SYRIA: Nour al-Din al-Labbad, former Syrian ambassador and renowned poet, was assassinated on March 11, 2025, in his hometown of al-Sanamayn, Daraa. A prominent defector from Assad’s regime, al-Labbad returned from exile just weeks before his death. His killing, amid growing violence in post-Assad Syria, highlights the peril faced by opposition figures and the fragile security situation during the country’s ongoing transition
SYRIA: The defacement of Adnan al-Malki's statue, a revered Syrian nationalist and anti-colonial figure, has stirred public outrage and reignited debates over memory, identity, and national heritage. Though the damage occurred during the chaotic aftermath of Assad's fall in December 2024, its resurfacing in March 2025 highlights deep political divisions and the fragile process of reconciliation in post-conflict Syria.
Arts dialogue highlights culture’s role in Syria’s future amid ministry debates and creative economy talks
Significant concerns have emerged regarding the lack of representation from key sectors. This raises questions about whether the conference genuinely fosters an inclusive national dialogue or merely reinforces pre-existing power structures.
Abdullah Alkafri, head of the Syrian cultural organization Ettijahat
Abdullah Alkafri calls for cultural and artistic sectors in Syria to actively contribute to political and social transformation by building institutions capable of supporting change. Alkafri urges participation in the constitutional reform process to influence legal frameworks regarding cultural associations, unions, and education systems, ensuring they function independently from state control.
Once banned in Syria, Stars in Broad Daylight resurfaces as a symbol of artistic resilience
Sanad in the Digital Realm responds to the needs of Syrian people, both inside and outside Syria, who cannot necessarily gather in physical spaces to reach audiences safely. Digital space offers a viable alternative, particularly for projects using bold and innovative formats
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) urges for increased humanitarian aid in their January report. Nearly two years of civil war in Syria has produced a regional humanitarian disaster.
Ettijahat. Independent Culture and the Syrian Association for Culture and Knowledge, launch an open call for proposals within the framework of "Researches. To Strengthen Culture of Knowledge" project. This project is aimed at building the capacities of young researchers and granting them the opportunity to produce Researches linked to the Syrian Culture.
Application and all needed information are available on: www.ettijahat.org
Project support by Mimeta
