Nostalgia: Retracing Syrian Art History at Damascus’ Al-Hamra Theater
The Al-Hamra Theater in Damascus recently hosted the premiere of “Nostalgia: The Memory of Syrian Art,” an operetta that revisited significant cultural and artistic milestones in Syria’s history. The production offered an immersive audiovisual experience, structured across eight distinct segments that blended acting, music, singing, and expressive dance to highlight the nation’s artistic heritage.
The opening performance drew a notable audience. Nawar Bulbul, Director of the Directorate of Theaters and Music, emphasized that the show is part of a broader effort to reinvigorate the capital’s cultural and artistic activity. He underscored the historical significance of the Al-Hamra Theater and its central role in the Syrian cultural scene, particularly following the extensive restoration and rehabilitation work recently completed at the venue.
Ehab Al-Qutaish, the production’s orchestra conductor, detailed the extensive preparation behind the show, which spanned three to four months of intensive rehearsals. Four artistic troupes collaborated to bring the performance to its final form. The production featured a carefully curated selection of iconic musical themes ranging from the 1980s to the present day, with new arrangements adapted to the theater’s acoustics and the specific instruments available.
The operetta’s segments were designed to evoke memories of some of the most celebrated works in Syrian drama and theater. The performance opened with “An Evening with Abu Khalil Al-Qabbani” and the song “This is Damascus.” It was followed by a series of dramatic segments honoring iconic television series, including “Ayyam Shamia,” “Hammam Al-Qishani,” and “Aila Khams Nujoom.”
In addition, the production included expressive dance performances accompanied by the music of influential social and political dramas that have left a lasting impact on the audience, such as “Yawmiyat Mudir Aam” (Diary of a General Manager), “Al-Wilada min al-Khasira,” and “Al-Taghriba al-Filastiniyya.” The show concluded with a segment titled “The Poem,” featuring the theme song from the series “Hijrat al-Qulub ila al-Qulub.”
The production was the result of a comprehensive team effort. It was directed by Ghazwan Qahwaji, with theatrical preparation by Wiam Ismail. The orchestra was led by Ehab Al-Qutaish, while the choir was trained by Mikhail Tadros, and the choreography was designed by Mohamed Halabi. The event represents a qualitative step reflecting the commitment of cultural institutions to restore the theater’s role as an interactive and vital platform, reconnecting generations with their artistic memory and injecting new momentum into the artistic scene in Damascus, which has seen increased theatrical activity since the reopening of the Al-Hamra Theater last September.
Source: Syria Focus Arabic
