The memorandum aims to organize areas of cooperation between the two parties, enabling the Syrian Cultural Center to become a specialized incubator for cultural activities. This will contribute to supporting creative initiatives, enhancing institutional development and digital transformation, and building human capacity within the cultural sector. This step aligns with the Ministry of Culture's vision of developing mechanisms for cooperation with cultural initiatives and institutions, thereby supporting the advancement of the cultural landscape and strengthening its presence both locally and internationally.
The Ministry of Culture hosted a lecture titled "The Compass of Success," presented by Dr. Muhammad Issam Mahou, at the Damascus Opera House. The lecture drew a significant audience interested in self-development and professional success. It highlighted key perspectives, concepts of success, self-management, and cultivating diversity, offering attendees practical knowledge that combined in-depth experience with practical insights. The lecture also addressed tools to help individuals find a clearer path toward achieving success and excellence in various aspects of life.
In an artistic evening imbued with the spirit of victory and genuine belonging, the concert "Your Soil is United" was held with artist Wasfi Al-Masrani at the Damascus Open Air Theatre. Music and free expression converged, and voices transformed into a message of loyalty and solidarity with the sacrifices of the detainees and their families. A warm audience, heartfelt interaction, and art that affirmed culture's role in celebrating liberation and standing with humanity. All proceeds from the concert were dedicated to supporting the Ministry of Social Affairs' project assisting the families of released detainees.
The Ministry of Culture, in cooperation with the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Damascus University, held an event in the faculty's auditorium that combined intellectual discourse, creativity, and the aesthetics of language. The event included a seminar on the Arabic language, a poetry recital showcasing its richness, and an artistic performance. This event reflects the Ministry of Culture's commitment to strengthening the position and presence of the Arabic language as a cornerstone of cultural identity and a vibrant space for creativity and knowledge.
Statement regarding the results of the investigation into the National Museum theft.
The Ministry of Culture, represented by the Directorate of Children's Culture, held an event for children with disabilities at the Al-Hamra Theater in Damascus, as part of a cultural program aimed at supporting social inclusion and promoting children's right to cultural participation. The event included an artistic performance, various theatrical segments, and interactive activities designed to meet the needs of children and encourage expression and creativity in a safe and supportive environment. Through this event, the Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to its cultural and humanitarian role in making the arts accessible to all children and promoting the values of diversity and equality, in line with its mission to build a more inclusive society.
The Ministry of Culture and the Syrian National Welfare Foundation signed an agreement for national cultural cooperation. This agreement marks a new phase in the partnership between the public sector and active civil society organizations. The agreement aims to unify national efforts to transform cultural work into a comprehensive development project, based on the shared belief that culture is a cornerstone in building individuals and strengthening national identity. The agreement includes provisions for cultural, educational, and training programs in all Syrian governorates, with a particular focus on rural areas. It also aims to activate the role of cultural centers, theaters, and libraries to support children's programs and empower youth. Furthermore, it encompasses the protection of Syria's tangible and intangible heritage and opens avenues for external cultural cooperation to promote Syrian cultural identity in regional and international forums.
On World Arabic Language Day, December 18, we celebrate a language that, throughout its history, has been a cornerstone of humanity's cultural diversity and a tool for knowledge, creativity, and communication among peoples. Today, more than 400 million people speak Arabic, and for centuries, as a language of science, literature, and philosophy, it has enriched human civilization and influenced numerous languages and cultures. The Ministry of Culture affirms its commitment to preserving the Arabic language and strengthening its presence as a living bridge connecting the past with the present and opening horizons for the future.
Hasan al-Nifi (1963–2025) A Syrian poet and writer, born in the city of Manbij in the Aleppo countryside. He is considered one of the cultural voices that combined poetic creativity with national commitment. He was arrested in 1986 while a fourth-year student in the Arabic Language Department at the University of Aleppo and spent fifteen years in the prisons of the Assad regime, being transferred between several detention centers, including Tadmor Military Prison. He was released in 2001 at the age of thirty-eight. He published his first collection of poems, "Obsessions and Longings," in 1985, followed by "Ashes of the Years" in 2004, in which he revisited poems he had memorized during his years of imprisonment, and then "Ports of the Soul" in 2010. His poetry is distinguished by its adherence to classical Arabic poetry, its inspiration from Arab heritage, and its profound emotional charge that reflects the experience of imprisonment, exile, and national concerns. After 2011, he became involved in the civil movement, working in local councils and holding political positions in the Aleppo Free Provincial Council during 2014–2015. He left Syria and resided in Turkey for several years, continuing his work in journalism and media, before moving to France as a political refugee at the end of 2022. For Hassan Al-Nifi, poetry remained an act of resistance and a space to express the values of freedom and dignity until his death in France on December 18, 2025.
