Miriam Nassrallah

Syria’s historical heritage was not spared the ravages of the horrific war that has spanned over a decade. Today, Syria’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites stand in a heartbreaking state of neglect. Each site boasts its own complex historical mosaic, but now all of these sites stand as silent witnesses of our ancestors’ stories, awaiting the restoration they deserve. Despite Syria’s endless cultural and historical wealth, UNESCO currently recognizes only seven of its sites. Due to the absence of restoration efforts by the government, and because of inadequate global support, these sites are in danger of being lost to the sands of time.

Over the past decade, a lot of attention has been directed towards Syria, the beating heart of the Middle East, which embodies a complex human story as it fights to maintain its identity in the face of conflict and political and social transformations. In this part of the world, life used to overflow with colors and holidays were filled with joy and brotherhood. However, things are different today, where holidays are looked upon with nostalgia and patience.

Perhaps the deeper meaning of holidays in Syria is the hope for reunion, unity and peace, with every passing holiday serving as a reminder that light is still shining through the darkness, and that life still goes on in the face of adversity.

Syria is home to a diverse and rich mosaic of cultures, and among them are the Circassians, an ethnic group from the Northern Caucasus region. Circassians have a tragic history of genocide and displacement, a history which led many of them to Syria. Despite this, they have a reputation for their regal demeanor owing to their pride in their unique heritage of resistance and deep relationship with their homeland. This is a brief look into their story in Syria.

From groundbreaking discoveries to revolutionary innovations, these Syrians became pioneers in their respective fields and left a lasting impact on the scientific community and beyond. In this post, we are going to briefly explore each person’s story.