Damascus, Syria – Hundreds of people gathered in a courtyard in the Old City for a joyful evening of music and dance, marking a return to cultural life under Syria’s new Islamist-led authorities. The concert, held with approval from the government, was attended by musicians, dancers, and art enthusiasts.
The change in government has been met with optimism from many artists, who had initially feared that creative freedoms could be curbed. However, so far, there have been no signs of a crackdown on the arts. In fact, some have welcomed the opportunity to showcase their work under the new regime.
“This is a good sign – for now,” said Aaron Zelin, an expert on HTS at the Washington Institute for Near East policy. “The group is trying to avoid making waves with anyone while they’re still consolidating control.”
HTS relaxed efforts to enforce conservative behavior in Idlib several years ago, withdrawing morality police from the streets. Experts see this as part of its gradual shift towards the mainstream.
Syrian artist Sara Shamma said some artists had been worried that creative freedoms could be curbed with the change of government. “They thought that some people might not accept sculptures or figurative work,” she told Reuters. But nothing like that happened, and her retrospective exhibition opened at the National Museum in November.
The new administration’s policy reflects an ideological shift from its roots in transnational jihad towards a more moderate form of political Islam based on Syrian nationalism. This approach is similar to that of Islamist groups in other Arab states such as Egypt, Jordan, and Tunisia, as well as Turkey.
Mustafa Ali, a prominent sculptor, noted that Islamic art generally tends towards abstract forms, but also acknowledged the historical significance of figurative art. “We felt a sense of responsibility – that now it’s time for us to step up, to be present,” said Ghazal al-Badr, a 22-year-old dancer who returned to class after initial fears.
The new government’s stance on artistic expression is seen as a positive development by many, but it remains to be seen how this policy will evolve in the coming months. For now, artists are cautiously optimistic about the future under the Islamist-led regime.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/dancing-damascus-syrians-cling-culture-under-islamists-rule-2025-02-22