Concerts, workshops and exhibitions between the mortars in Syria

In June of 2013 a group of young Syrians came together to form “Nehna” – “We” in English – an association which aims to encourage dialogue and stability among young people of all communities, through the music, painting, theater and photography.

“After a little over a year, since the beginning of our activity, we have managed to set up two bands, a theater group, a group of paintings and photographs, and we have organized several major events.” For East the voice comes from the young lawyer Rami Jalbout, a Syrian with Palestinian origin who lives in Damascus, spokesman for the association. “Last year we organized nine concerts between Syria and Lebanon, four exhibitions at the University of Damascus, a workshop with some of the best Syrians directors and two photography courses.

The headquarters of the association “Nehna” is in Al Qassaa in Damascus, “a very dangerous area.” “In this neighborhood – says Jalbout – every day there are mortar fire and during an attack, five of our members were injured.” “Now – tells Jalbout – we are used to this situation, for us it has become almost normal. We are trying to go on and on. We need to light a candle in the middle of all this darkness. “Al Qassaa is a predominantly Christian area, “but our association is open to all Syrians regardless of religion, gender, race or skin color.”

During the conflict Jalbout has lost friends and family. “Some have died, others were arrested and several have been kidnapped and we havn’t more news.” Even though often is threatened because it is against religious extremism, the young lawyer is continuing to work but admits that “it is very difficult to take new legal cases in this period.”

“The Syrian rebels – said Jalbout – control some districts around Damascus bombing at random. They are allied with fundamentalist groups who volunteer jihadis from all over the world. “One of these groups is the Isis (the Islamic State) that, according to the young lawyer, “is a group that has been supported by many countries and which has now become unmanageable.” And Assad? “Assad is definitely better than all these bloodthirsty terrorists.”