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At a time when diplomacy and journalism seem not to be doing much for Syria, can art do a better job? Dash Arabic Series Cafe tried to answer the question in an evening of conversation & live music at Richmix, East London.
“Art may not cure everything but it can help. There are moments in which art can do much more than I as a journalist can.”, said Yasmin Alibhai-Brown , columnist for The Independent, chairing the discussion.
“We are not used to use our own voices and speak to people we don’t know from before.”, said Leila Adnan, a Syrian journalist. Leila uses a pseudonym, she has dealt with subjects such as re-occupying public space and expressing resistance through festivities and songs. The Syrian journalist retold the narrative of the uprising to the audience, from the very first demonstration that she attended. “People were excited, after Tunis and Egypt, they felt it was just a matter of months. But then protests developed, little by little.”
Originally from Homs, the journalist described how the people there managed to develop their own narrative, building a strong and independent identity. “It is a great capacity of Carnivalization. They changed the flag as a way to express themselves, the songs, everything changed, and there is a sense of cultural belonging. The revolution has its own narrative, its own cultural identity.” An important part of this “Carnivalism” is the rise of characters, known and recognized by all. “It was the first time people used the culture that was forced on us to fight back. Little by little we started seeing characters like the singer, the citizen journalist and the medical aid”, she added.
Music and dance are also key elements within these demonstrations. “The songs respond to the public awareness, so people started dancing and the result is an unconventional way of undermining the narrative of the government with fun. We look at them and they are dancing, mocking the government and the collective punishment. It is a political tool used by the young people running around, documenting, protesting and dying in the streets.”
Sometimes events can be as surprising as Art and both the people and the governments may attempt to use it to their benefit. Dan Gorman was organizing a film festival for late March. “I did not foresee this happening in Syria, we were encouraged by certain people to still come to Syria, to use culture as a way of showing everything was ok. But we cancelled it.”
Gorman is a cultural activist and the director of Reel Syria Festival, a cultural show of the Syrian arts and culture scene. Recently, Reel Festivals partnered with Dox Box Global day for Syria, bringing to London a film festival that could not take place this year in the country due to the current situation. Gorman mentioned how his trips to Afghanistan and Iraq inspired him to do something to change the perception people in the West often have towards these countries. Part of that same ideal is reflected also in his work within Firefly International, an NGO based in the UK that aims to unite young people through arts and education projects, in places divided by conflict like Syria, or post-conflict like Bosnia.
“Breaking the Barrier of Fear”
Art may even create a parallel between Syria and Palestine, according to he author of The Road from Damascus, Robin Yassin-Kassab. “Why is it that this small troubled place produces such a great amount of art? It is for many reasons, but they are under pressure. Syria has always produced great art, from cinema to dramas, poetry and comedy. But after the revolution there was an explosion of art, It cannot be exaggerated how important it was for the Syrian people”, he said.
"If we manage to break the barrier of fear, our revolution succeeded". The words are by cartoonist Ali Ferzat, one of the most famous Syrian artists. The regime is accused of trying to break his hands to stop him from producing his art. Yassin-Kassab suggested that this is the way the regime performs their own art. “The bodies of the Syrian people, everything is a kind of art because it has a message. It is known how the social media have been playing a key role during the uprising. In this matter, the writer highlighted the importance of platforms such as Stamps of the Syrian Revolution.
In the end where lies the power of Art? According to Dan Gorman “it is to bear witness, to continue to challenge the power and keep going, keep on protesting."
The talk then focused on questions from the audience which naturally gave rise to some conflicting opinions. These were met with disdain from a couple of the panel members who, rather interestingly, attempted to silence these particular 'new voices'. Following this however, came the vibrant rhythms and rich musical tradition of North Africa from the duo Fantazia, and Art once again saved the day.
