Reclaiming space, testing limits

Monzer Masri, poet and painter, 76: "Cultural workers must confront authority"

I was born in Latakia, have spent my entire life here, and it seems I will also die here. I have written three poetry collections and numerous books.

On 8 December 2024, the conditions in which Syrians had lived for half a century were fundamentally shaken—especially for those who had remained in the country. Everything that was once the starting point for writing has changed, as has cultural life as a whole.

Writing now means something different; the context is new. For example, until now, I wanted my writing to explain to others how we could live without despairing under the regime. I saw that as my purpose, my gift. Now the subjects are different, and they demand new ways of approaching them.

If Syria is to live up to its historical role as a cultural centre, it must become a place where artistic freedom is a given. That means cultural and literary figures must confront authority, as has often been the case in our history. I hope this will not be more difficult now than it was in the past.

So far, the situation seems promising: there are no visible restrictions on freedom of expression, and many strong critical voices can be heard. What is needed, however, is independent journalism and the foundation of literary journals that are not state-funded, so that dissenting and critical voices can find a platform.

Hêvî Qiço, poet and novelist: "The transitional government must include everyone"

I come from Amuda, a city in northeastern Syria (Rojava). I have lived in Berlin for the past ten years since leaving my homeland. I have published the short story collection "Another Dimension" (2020) and the poetry collection "A Light Floods Me with Certainty" (2023). 

The old Syrian regime proved emphatically tyrannical in every respect: there was not a glimmer of freedom, and the population had to submit entirely to its power.

But the revolution brought about changes that still resonate today: since 2012, the Kurdish self-administration in northern and eastern Syria has built an independent system in which men and women have equal rights. Cultural life there is democratic, and individual freedoms and beliefs are respected. Yet the new government seems to reject this culture of diversity and openness. It is attempting to impose a monolithic culture and politics.

Kurds are Syria's second-largest ethnic group. They seek not only recognition of their cultural identity but a decentralised system of governance that guarantees political and administrative rights. This is a prerequisite for constructive Kurdish participation in the development of a Syrian state, a state in which they have been marginalised until now. This must not be allowed to happen again. 

Many Syrian intellectuals have faced similar marginalisation: you were either a mouthpiece for the regime or isolated, except for a few opposition voices abroad. Now they must free themselves from this position. The transitional government, in turn, must include everyone. It is important to represent the full spectrum of Syrian culture. Intellectuals are the ones who can secure the future of the country. If one single culture or colour is allowed to dominate, it will bring disaster upon this wonderful people. There have already been so many sacrifices on the road to freedom; they deserve to live without shackles.  

Rita Halabi, visual artist: "We must face our suffering"

I completed my art studies at the University of Aleppo in 2018. Since then, I have been active in the cultural sector. I have never left Syria, except for a short trip to Lebanon.

My first solo exhibition took place in June 2025 at the Mustafa Ali Gallery in Damascus. It was an interactive performance titled "Mental Illness File". For decades, mental health issues have been a problem for the Syrian population. They have accumulated within us and weigh heavily.

Many of my fellow citizens do not want to speak about it, for fear of stigmatisation. In this context, my performance is like a pebble thrown into still water.

We must face our suffering, find ways to deal with it together and work toward collective solutions.

For years, the cultural scene had to endure brutal restrictions, but now there is hope in the air. What we need are the ideas that are already swirling around in the minds of artists, and to make them a reality in the near future. Art is a means for change.

Yara Ktaish, actress and producer: "As artists, we are testing the limits"

After I had to leave Suwayda in 2012, and after living in several other countries, I found a new home in Brazil. In January 2025, I returned to Damascus and stayed there until May. I came with a lot of hope, but soon realised that I still do not feel free in my old homeland.

Artists do have more freedom, but at the same time, there is a new form of censorship. During my time in Damascus, I was part of a performance where we read texts by Syrian authors written between 2011 and the fall of the Assad regime. The performance took place only two days after the clashes in Latakia. We reduced production costs to a minimum, only buying essentials like fuel for a generator, which we needed due to constant power outages.

We received the required permission from the Ministry of Culture, but had to pay the price of censorship: one of our texts was removed. It told the story of siblings living as refugees in Europe and ended with the girl threatening to take her own life because of her father's actions. The government deemed it "unacceptable."

We did not receive any further explanation. As artists from different Syrian regions, we are currently testing our boundaries, and the new government is doing the same. My impression is that they often say no and rarely say yes. Then again, at least artists are active again. Despite bureaucratic hurdles and the new censorship, a lot is happening: concerts, stage shows, exhibitions. Hopefully, true artistic freedom will follow soon.

This text appears in a joint edition of Qantara and Kulturaustausch magazine. Find more stories, interviews and analyses in our Syria focus section.

This is an edited translation of the Arabic original. Translated from German by Max Graef Lakin.