26 March 2026. Officials and community leaders in Sweida held a national event on the anniversary of the passing of Sultan Pasha al-Atrash, leader of the Great Syrian Revolt (against French colonialism), to honor his enduring legacy. Sweida’s Governor stated that its people historically supported a strong national identity and remain committed to Syria’s unity.Read more at: SANA
6 March 2026. Work has begun to rehabilitate the historic Barada Spring, a key source of drinking water for Damascus and an historic natural landmark from Roman times. Once a key point for Hajj pilgrims, destroyed under the Assad regime, its restoration aims to revive tourism and support employment.Read more at: LEVANT24
25 February 2026. The Ruiha archaeological site, dating from Byzantine times, is being cleared of landmines to restore safe access, develop tourism, and revive local agriculture. Part of a UNESCO-heritage plan, the site contains remains of luxurious homes, churches, olive presses, and funerary monuments.Read more at: SANA
20 February 2026. “The fair reflects Syrians’ love for books and thirst for knowledge,” said the director. 500,000 books were sold and over 1,000 cultural events were held during the 10-day fair. The attendance reminded some of Syria’s traditional role in the Arab world as the “country of the alphabet.”Read more at: SANA
16 February 2026. Welcoming the holy month of Ramadan, the centuries-old Damascene custom of Takriza was renewed through cultural initiatives bringing people together in communal celebrations, in anticipation of the month of daily fasting.Read more at: SANA
10 February 2026. After living in exile for a decade, Alhakam Shaar returned briefly to Aleppo filled with joy, working in sub-zero temperatures to restore his family’s home. Thousands returning to rebuild homes and businesses face severe infrastructure damages, which the government has begun to repair.Read more at: AL JAZEERA
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
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
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
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
29 January 2026. An upsurge in foreign tourists and expatriates visiting their homeland occurred between the December 2024 victory and December 2025. Officials cited improved security, revived cultural events, and growing regional and international interest in Syria.Read more at: LEVANT24
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.
26 January 2026. The Ministry of Culture inaugurated the Damascus Heritage House as a multipurpose cultural space to strengthen collective national identity by establishing a cultural hub showcasing Syrian heritage and reconnecting it with everyday social life.Read more at: SANA
12 January 2026. “Spring Sonata” celebrates the peoples’ spirit of resilience during the revolution. The actor, Mazen al-Natour, described the play as a reflection of Syrians’ collective suffering, remarking “It comes from an internal cry shared by all Syrians.”Read more at: SANA
28 December 2025. The “Jasmine Meets Olive” event featured the riches of cultural diversity, highlighting present collaborations between Arab and Kurdish youth and a shared commitment to free cultural expression and national unity.Read more at: SANA
25 December 2025. As Syria celebrates its liberation, an exhibition opened with 45 artworks by 34 artists, many depicting life during the years of civil war. An official called artists integral to society as their work visually documents the life, emotions, and experience of the people in pivotal times.Read more at: SANA
18 December 2025. Damascus artisans are preserving an entirely handmade process for creating hand-printed fabrics embroidered with silk, which can be worn or used as table linen. The craft’s artistic and cultural value has created a growing demand in European and American markets.Read more at: SANA
12 December 2025. Tamer Turkmane was honored for a personal initiative that became the largest archive in the nation capturing the events, sacrifices and struggles of the Syrian revolution. Despite security threats, he tirelessly collected several million video clips, articles, media reports, books, journals and pamphlets.Read more at: SANA
12 December 2025. UNESCO added elements to Syria’s “Intangible Cultural Heritage,” spotlighting craftsmanship, music, communal practices and traditions that have shaped the region for thousands of years and still serve to anchor the country’s identity.Read more at: SANA
2 December 2025. The library has launched a digital platform to make its resources accessible to researchers both in Syria and across the globe. The thousands of books and artifacts housed by the library offer valuable insights into human civilization while reinforcing Syria’s unique cultural identity.Read more at: SANA
20 November 2025. The 2026 expo seeks to reestablish and build on Syria’s centuries old legacy in textile manufacturing and trade by fostering innovation and expanding markets, creating opportunities for Syrian professionals to contribute to the nation’s renewal and global presence.Read more at: SANA
9 November 2025. Pedro Nadaf, an 18-year-old artist, reshapes fragments of destruction he gathered into living art, turning scars of war into symbols of transformation and renewal. His 37 sculptures reflect Syria’s spirit of endurance, resilience, and capacity to turn despair into fuel for creativity.Read more at: LEVANT24
9 November 2025. The Arab Writers Union established a new unit to document the literature of Syria’s revolution, preserving the poetry, novels, short stories and theatre born of the struggle. In 2026, the union plans to train 5,000 young Syrians to write about war, victory, heroism, and the daily lives of Syrians during the revolution.Read more at: LEVANT24
9 November 2025. Sponsored by the White Heart Foundation for Development and local organizations, the market attracted 230 artisans and entrepreneurs who shared their crafts, foods, and innovative projects. The event supported local businesses, revived traditions, and showcased cultural diversity.Read more at: SANA
31 October 2025. “Melodies from the North” echoed through the Damascus Opera House weaving the deep heritage of Arabic, Kurdish, and Syriac folk music of the Jazira region into a sonorous tapestry of unity in diversity.Read more at: SANA
