Syrian Culture Minister: Syrians who fled to Jordan found a space of creativity

He praised the positions and role of His Majesty King Abdullah II towards Syria and his support for its stability and rights, referring to His Majesty's recent speech at the United Nations, in which he addressed Syria.

In the seminar, which is part of the cultural program of the Amman International Book Fair in its 25th edition under the theme "Jordan: Land and People", and in which the Syrian Arab Republic is a guest of honor, Saleh affirmed that the current Syrian government has taken upon itself since it assumed power to work on supporting the cultural act and to stabilize the Syrian intellectual.

In this context, he pointed out in the seminar, which was attended by the Director of the Fair, President of the Jordanian Publishers Union, Jaber Abu Faris, and a large number of intellectuals and members of the Syrian community in Jordan, to the success achieved by the Damascus International Book Fair, which witnessed free access to any book without restriction, as well as the successes achieved by an art exhibition in which about 200 Syrian artists participated.

He pointed out that many Syrian creators in various fields of creativity have returned to Syria recently, indicating the return of non-Syrians as well, to Syria, where they can exercise their freedom of expression.

The Syrian Minister of Culture explained that the core role of the Ministry of Culture is to empower creativity rather than produce it, clarifying that the Ministry represents a bridge between the creator and his creative production.

He said that the Ministry of Culture in Syria relies on transferring culture to the street and reflecting its pains, aspirations, and hopes.

He affirmed that any cultural work or product that proves itself on the ground and finds a presence becomes easy to empower and assist.

He also confirmed the serious endeavor of the Syrian Ministry of Culture to recover the artifacts that were looted during the Syrian crisis and transferred abroad, indicating that more than 4,000 archaeological pieces have been recovered.

He pointed to communication with UNESCO regarding the archaeological and historical sites threatened by danger and the recovery of archaeological pieces, affirming that the Syrian file at UNESCO is moving steadily.

He pointed out that the Syrian government is working to restore many historical and archaeological sites that were damaged during the Syrian crisis.

Regarding the cultural cooperation agreements between the current Syrian government and Arab countries, he affirmed that there is a tendency to conclude new agreements or renew and expand many of them, including the cultural cooperation agreement with Jordan, which was signed in 1975 and did not include many clauses to enhance cooperation.

He touched on the subject of documentation in Syria and cooperation with a number of Arab countries in a number of joint files, including the Arab kohl and the "Bisht"

He expressed his hope that the visitor to the Syrian pavilion at the fair would carry the image of Syria's history and civilization in all its eras, and Syria today as well, and remember that there are children, women, and the elderly who have paid high prices to achieve their freedom, affirming that the cultural presence of the Syrian people has not stopped creating during the crisis.

He said that when talking about restoring the cultural situation in Syria, we are talking about restoring the cultural space, because culture in Syria is present.

He affirmed that he did not find difficulty in restoring cultural cooperation with Arab brothers, noting that just meeting with Arab officials concerned with cultural files "we find joy in their eyes and great welcome" and eagerness to cooperate and lay the first stone at the very least.

He said, "We want in Syria to be said that it is the country where no one is oppressed, and I do not oppress those who differ with me in language, race, sect, sect, religion, or color," warning those who try to create a rift between Syrians.

The Syrian Minister of Culture affirmed that the situation that the current Syrian government wants to reach is to accept the other, "and we do not want to make inciting sedition an entry for external intervention, and these are the cumulative messages that the Ministry presents through theater, arts, musical concerts, and stories", stressing that culture is a national security.