Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
In the war-ravaged city of Daraya on the outskirts of the capital. damascusA group of Syrian artists have transformed a bombed home into a canvas of memories.
On the collapsed roof of the ruined building, he has painted a colorful mural honoring the families lost during years of conflict.
The project was led by Bilal Shorba, an activist and graffiti artist during the Syrian Army siege of Daraya between 2012 and 2016.
During a period when the city was a center of resistance to Bashar al-Assad’s regime, Mr. Shoraba created about 30 graffiti works as quiet acts of defiance.
Mr Assad was ousted last December by Islamist militias led by former al Qaeda and ISIS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, ending a nearly 14-year civil war that has left nearly half a million people dead, millions displaced and thousands missing.
Mr. Jolani soon switched to using his real name, Ahmed al-Sharaa, and styled himself president.
Upon returning to Daraya after the takeover by Jolani’s forces, Mr. Shoraba started a workshop with the Dar Ebla Cultural Center to teach the art of graffiti to local youth. The ceiling mural seen grew out of that collaboration – a symbol of resilience and renewal in a place that was once synonymous with loss.
Amidst the broken walls and dilapidated houses, his color brings back a touch of color and hope to Darya.