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“Ishraqat” (Radiance) Cultural and Arts Festival opens at Damascus Opera House. (SANA)
“Ishraqat” (Radiance) Cultural and Arts Festival opens at Damascus Opera House. (SANA)

Arts and culture festival opens under theme: “Guided by light, united by culture”

    9 February 2026.  The “Ishraqat” (Radiance) Festival brings together artists and audiences in a program of art exhibitions, performances, and seminars, supporting the recovery of Syria’s richly diverse heritage and fostering shared national identity. The program was sponsored by government ministries in coordination with UNDP and with funding from Japan. Read more at:  SANA

    Social Affairs and Labor Minister, Hind Kabawat (second from right), meets with humanitarian organizations in Idleb to review the impact of recent floods. (SANA)
    Social Affairs and Labor Minister, Hind Kabawat (second from right), meets with humanitarian organizations in Idleb to review the impact of recent floods. (SANA)

    Minister Kabawat calls for tightened cooperation among aid agencies to support flood-affected families

      9 February 2026.  During a visit to camps in western Idleb, where displaced families living in tents were forced by severe floods to evacuate, the Social Affairs minister met with humanitarian aid partners to assess the flood damage and request stronger coordination to ensure faster, more effective support. Read more at:  SANA

      Bana Omar Abdullah introduces her book, “I Am Syrian,” at the Damascus Book Fair, February 8, 2026
      Bana Omar Abdullah introduces her book, “I Am Syrian,” at the Damascus Book Fair, February 8, 2026

      Eleven-year-old author publishes loving portrait of her country’s heritage: “I Am Syrian”

        8 February 2026.  Bana Omar Abdullah authored a heartfelt tribute to Syria’s heritage, combining photographs and text. “My book is a tourism guide and a message of love for Syria,” she said. “I wanted to show its landmarks and tell its story through images that speak to the heart.”Read more at:  SANA

        Minister Hind Kabawat and Syrian born philanthropist Wafic Rida Saïd sign a partnership agreement to advance inclusive leadership. (SANA)
        Minister Hind Kabawat and Syrian born philanthropist Wafic Rida Saïd sign a partnership agreement to advance inclusive leadership. (SANA)

        New leadership program will train officials to include disabled people in public and private arenas

          7 February 2026.  The Social Affairs and Labor Ministry and the Saïd Foundation for Development have launched a training program aimed at improving the capacity of public and private institutions to serve people with disabilities. Fifty percent of the trainees will be disabled people.Read more at:  SANA

          Syria and Saudi Arabia sign major economic agreements to rebuild Syria’s infrastructure and expand regional connectedness. (SANA)
          Syria and Saudi Arabia sign major economic agreements to rebuild Syria’s infrastructure and expand regional connectedness. (SANA)

          Saudi Arabia to invest $ billions in strategic deals for Syria’s recovery

            7 February 2026.  Syria and Saudi Arabia signed major joint economic agreements in air transport, water desalination, and telecommunications, in addition to 45 other development projects. The agreements aim to rebuild Syria’s infrastructure, expand air travel, and strengthen regional cooperation.Read more at:  LEVANT24

            Audience members and media officials gather in Damascus as Information Minister, Dr. Hamza al-Mustafa, announces the relaunch of Damascus Radio. (SANA)
            Audience members and media officials gather in Damascus as Information Minister, Dr. Hamza al-Mustafa, announces the relaunch of Damascus Radio. (SANA)

            Damascus Radio is relaunched, connecting Syrian communities at home and abroad as part of national media revival

              5 February 2026.  Damascus Radio, marginalized under the old regime, has been revitalized with technical capacities that combine conventional broadcasting with online streaming, mobile applications and podcasts. It will enable interactive programming and allow Syrians worldwide to connect in real time.Read more at:  SANA

              Syria signs a major agreement with Chevron and Qatar’s Power International to explore new oil and gas fields. (Syrian Observer)
              Syria signs a major agreement with Chevron and Qatar’s Power International to explore new oil and gas fields. (Syrian Observer)

              Syria’s energy sector reaches turning point with new offshore explorations

                5 February 2026.  The state-owned Syrian Petroleum Company signed a landmark agreement with US and Qatari companies to begin oil and gas explorations aimed at boosting energy investment, supporting development, and expanding partnerships. US envoy to Syria, Thomas Barrack, called the agreement “a transformative step that draws a new picture for Syria after years of suffering.”Read more at:  SYRIAN OBSERVER

                Visitors swarm the Damascus International Book Fair, reflecting Syria’s cultural resurgence. (L24)
                Visitors swarm the Damascus International Book Fair, reflecting Syria’s cultural resurgence. (L24)

                Damascus International Book fair revives intellectual life and world of culture

                  5 February 2026.  In his opening address to government ministers, prominent Syrian writers and intellectuals, and Arab political and intellectual figures, President al-Sharaa observed that humanity has long strived for truth, knowledge and the secrets of the world. The international cultural event offered knowledge on innumerable topics, including once-secret knowledge about Syria.Read more at: SANA

                  Syrian-American cantor, Henry Hamra, at the Central Synagogue of Aleppo, December 2025. (Jane Arraf:NPR)
                  Syrian-American cantor, Henry Hamra, at the Central Synagogue of Aleppo, December 2025. (Jane Arraf:NPR)

                  Syrian government restores Aleppo’s ancient Jewish sites to group led by Syrian-American Jews

                    3 February 2026.  The Syrian government transferred control of religious sites in Aleppo, once a thriving center of Jewish life, to the Jewish Heritage in Syria Foundation. The group is “committed to helping build a pluralistic, prosperous and democratic Syria.” Henry Hamra, one of the founders, observed: “Syrian people are very loving people and they’re very welcoming.”Read more at: NPR.ORG

                    President al-Sharaa met with a delegation from the Kurdish National Council (KNC) in the People’s Palace, Damascus, February 3, 2026. (L24:Social Media)
                    President al-Sharaa met with a delegation from the Kurdish National Council (KNC) in the People’s Palace, Damascus, February 3, 2026. (L24:Social Media)

                    President opens dialogue with Kurdish political leaders following ceasefire with SDF

                      3 February 2026.  President al-Sharaa met with KNC leaders on implementing recent agreements to integrate Kurdish people into the state. He affirmed that constitutional guarantees are in place to protect Kurdish rights and reinforce equal citizenship, while preserving cultural and social traditions.Read more at:  LEVANT24

                      Families in Hama hold photographs of those lost in 1982, 3 February 2026. (Enab Baladi)
                      Families in Hama hold photographs of those lost in 1982, 3 February 2026. (Enab Baladi)

                      Hama publicly commemorates brutal massacre for the first time in 44 years

                        3 February 2026.   In 1982, the Hafez al-Assad regime killed an estimated 40,000 Hama civilians, forced the disappearance of 17,000 others and decimated entire neighbourhoods, for opposing the regime’s oppression. While documents were secretly compiled through the years, this first public ceremony restores dignity to the victims and opens a pathway toward justice for survivors.Read more at:  LEVANT24See also:  “Never Forgotten: Assad Dynasty’s Failure to Exterminate and Erase Hama”

                        Syria’s Ministry of Health and UNDP (United Nations Development Program) sign agreement to rehabilitate and equip hospitals across five governorates, funded by the German government. (SANA)
                        Syria’s Ministry of Health and UNDP (United Nations Development Program) sign agreement to rehabilitate and equip hospitals across five governorates, funded by the German government. (SANA)

                        German funding will rehabilitate five major hospitals, under Health Ministry partnership with UNDP

                          3 February 2026.  A €35 million German funded agreement between Syria’s Health Ministry and UNDP will restore and equip five major hospitals in areas recovering from conflict, part of the government’s efforts to rehabilitate healthcare. A portion of the funds will revitalize 25 medical centres across Syria.Read more at:  SANA

                          Suleiman Abdulbaqi, head of internal security in Suwayda, visits Washington, D.C. as part of a delegation of social and civil figures from the governorate. (L24:Social media)
                          Suleiman Abdulbaqi, head of internal security in Suwayda, visits Washington, D.C. as part of a delegation of social and civil figures from the governorate. (L24:Social media)

                          Message of Suwayda delegation to Washington:  We seek to be part of a unified Syria

                            2 February 2026.  A Suwayda delegation met with US officials to present the governorate’s political and security realities directly, free of “misleading narratives.” Part of an outreach effort to find political solutions to the ongoing crisis, the message emphasized unity and rejected separatism.Read more at:  LEVANT24

                            Representatives of Finland and UNICEF formalize new support for children in Syria. (UNICEF)
                            Representatives of Finland and UNICEF formalize new support for children in Syria. (UNICEF)

                            Finland and UNICEF will foster inclusive education and protection for vulnerable Syrian children

                              1 February 2026.  “Syrian children have waited too long for stability, safety and opportunities to learn,” said UNICEF’s representative in Syria, as the UN agency and Finland announced €2.7 million to expand inclusive education and child and social protection, prioritizing children with disabilities and those affected by conflict and displacement.Read more at:  SANA

                              Ibrahim Olabi, Syria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, during monthly meeting of the Arab Group, 28 January 2026. (Ibrahim Olabi,X)
                              Ibrahim Olabi, Syria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, during monthly meeting of the Arab Group, 28 January 2026. (Ibrahim Olabi,X)

                              Syria elected to key role on major UN committee, reflecting confidence of UN member states

                                30 January 2026.  Syria was elected by acclimation as Vice Chair of the UN Preparatory Committee on the Convention on Crimes Against Humanity. Ambassador Olabi noted the significance of the shift from involvement in issues internal to Syria to a role in global issues.Read more at:  ENABBALADI

                                Modernized production lines support Syria’s push to secure daily bread supplies and strengthen food security. (L24)
                                Modernized production lines support Syria’s push to secure daily bread supplies and strengthen food security. (L24)

                                Syria boosts rehabilitation of bakeries to ensure stable bread supply including in newly liberated Kurdish areas

                                  30 January 2026.  Syria’s government launched a comprehensive program to strengthen food security, with bakery and grain establishments cooperating to improve efficiency, modernize production, improve bread quality, and ensure daily supplies.Read more at:  LEVANT24

                                  Syria’s Forgotten Contributions to Western Architecture

                                    Largely unnoticed in the West until recently, Syria played an important role in shaping European architecture through a remarkable 12thcentury cultural exchange between Islamic builders and Knights Templar. The Islamic impulse contributed significantly to the Gothic architecture of Western Europe, starting in the 12th century. It later made its influence felt in India through the distinctive Mughal style of architecture displayed in the Taj Mahal (1648) and also influenced figures like Sir Christopher Wren (1632-1723), the architect of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.

                                    A displaced family at al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria, 23 January 2026. (UN)
                                    A displaced family at al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria, 23 January 2026. (UN)

                                    Large numbers of displaced families have returned home while UNHCR and local Syrian NGO’s provide emergency aid to those in camps

                                      27 January 2026.  The UN Refugee Agency reports tens of thousands of families in northeastern Syria were displaced by recent hostilities between SDF and government forces. UNHCR is providing aid to those still in camps with local partners. Of 100,000 people displaced from Aleppo, 80% have returned home.Read more at:  ENABBALADI