For cultural preservation and healing
By leveraging the strengths of both organizations, the project focused on empowering the local refugee community to preserve and promote their cultural heritage through arts-based activities.
The project's central component was a series of weekly choir rehearsals, where participants—refugees aged 18 and above—were invited to learn and perform traditional songs from Syrian and Levantine musical heritage. Approximately twenty-five men and women of different ages and musical backgrounds participated in the sessions over 10 months. Songs like "Sham," celebrating the city of Damascus as a symbol of peace, and "Syrian Panorama," a medley representing different regions of Syria, were performed with great enthusiasm and emotion. These musical pieces provided not only a platform for cultural expression but also a means to reflect on the unity and diversity of a nation deeply affected by war. The choir brought together participants who had left Syria at a young age and, through this experience, reconnect with their cultural roots.
The project culminated in a grand concert, where participants showcased their musical journey, emphasizing cultural diversity and community cohesion. The choir's inclusivity—welcoming people of all genders, ages, and faiths—was a testament to the project's vision of using music as a bridge to connect people across differences and create a safe, joyful space.
Another important aspect of the Cultural Harmony Hub was its regular film screenings, featuring culturally significant films that explored themes of exile, displacement, and the psychological toll of war. The films followed the personal stories of individuals deeply affected by the Syrian revolution, and attendees had the opportunity to engage in interactive discussions with the filmmakers. This provided a platform for dialogue, allowing participants to gain deeper insights into the emotional complexities of their shared experiences.
Overall, the Cultural Harmony Hub successfully blended music, film, and storytelling to foster solidarity, preserve cultural memory, and promote a sense of belonging among the refugee community in Gaziantep. Through its activities, the project empowered individuals to reconnect with their heritage and strengthened bonds within the community, using the arts as a powerful tool for cultural preservation and healing.
Photo credit: Sally Turk, Zein Almalazi
The project culminated in a grand concert, where participants showcased their musical journey, emphasizing cultural diversity and community cohesion. The choir's inclusivity—welcoming people of all genders, ages, and faiths—was a testament to the project's vision of using music as a bridge to connect people across differences and create a safe, joyful space.
Another important aspect of the Cultural Harmony Hub was its regular film screenings, featuring culturally significant films that explored themes of exile, displacement, and the psychological toll of war. The films followed the personal stories of individuals deeply affected by the Syrian revolution, and attendees had the opportunity to engage in interactive discussions with the filmmakers. This provided a platform for dialogue, allowing participants to gain deeper insights into the emotional complexities of their shared experiences.
Overall, the Cultural Harmony Hub successfully blended music, film, and storytelling to foster solidarity, preserve cultural memory, and promote a sense of belonging among the refugee community in Gaziantep. Through its activities, the project empowered individuals to reconnect with their heritage and strengthened bonds within the community, using the arts as a powerful tool for cultural preservation and healing.
Photo credit: Sally Turk, Zein Almalazi
Related Library
Perspective(s) #2: Countering Anti-Migration and Anti-Asylum Narratives
Perspective(s) #1: Art, Creativity, Critique: What are the Limits to Freedom of Speech/Expression?
