“The Gesture” - is the artwork of Lebanese architect Nadim Karam, who says he wanted to pay tribute to the families of the victims of the explosion. A sculpture of a giant angular figure made from the wreckage of the Beirut port blast
Beirut's Resilient Heart Through the Civil War Bunker Lens
The Revolution Wall in Beirut is a gathering place for mass demonstrations, from which the government quarter is fenced off with barbed wire and a cordon of soldiers.
There are few things more beautiful and powerful than the collection of anthropomorphic sarcophagi that I have seen. To save them during the years of the civil war in Lebanon, museum workers enclosed the sarcophagi in concrete shells right in the places of exhibition.
Beiruth street view from the civil war time bunker - A Glimpse Through the Urban Void
Two workers, walk along the timeworn bridge at the Sidon’s Crusader Heritage. Sometimes you can hear that the Sidonian palace, destroyed by the Assyrian tsar Esarhaddon was somewhere here.
The Arabic name for the modern version of Sidon is Saida, which supposedly means "fishing industry." The industry is very much present on the local streets.
Shadows and Light in the Heart of Baalbek
Baalbek is a sanctuary in Lebanon that was the source of life for the city around it.
Shadows and Light in the Heart of temple.
Baalbek was the site of one of the oracles and was called Heliopolis, it is believed that Emperor Trajan discussed all his eastern campaigns with this oracle. God Helios Illuminating Baalbek's Ancient Grandeur.
The Lebanese people resistance Memorial in Mlita
Near the village of Mlita, 50 km from the border, in the mountains there is this piece of modern art in the open air. It was created on the first anniversary of the liberation of Lebanon from Israeli troops military occupation. Also known as the Museum of Hezbollah
Maaloula is one of the oldest Christian communities in the world in Syria, using Aramaic in sacred texts and worship. On September 4, 2013, a car driven by a suicide bomber exploded near the local hotel "Safir". The explosion served as a signal for the beginning of the seizure of the city by terrorists.
Several months after the capture, the city was liberated.
Rebuilding Maʿlula — A Testament to Hope and Heritage.
The surviving part of the Temple of Bel blown up by ISIS terrorists. The importance of Palmyra was in its integrity as an ancient city complex, where Antiquity directly touched the Ancient East.
The surviving part of the Palmyra arch, blown up by ISIS terrorists. The Palmyra explosions were a planned act of cultural terror. The monument was literally taken hostage by cameras. The entire preparation process and the explosions themselves were meticulously documented and broadcast to the entire civilized world.
Palmira after the archaeological explorations before the staritng of the restoration process.
Antique theater of Palmira. The theatre in Palmyra was built according to Greek rules, but on a Roman scale.
the museum complex in Bosra with the paintwork and identification marks of the "Free Syrian Army" during the war.
The city was held by rebels until the very end of the war and there were battles and fortified firing points right on the territory of the museum complex.
Shadows of Illegal Archaeology in Bosra amphitheater area
in parts of Syria that remain beyond governmental control.
Bosra — part of Syria not under governmental control.
Local merchants selling old books and illegal archaeological artifacts nears the walls of abandoned museum complex.
Children of Syrian war refugees at the architecture museum in Bosra, located within the chaotic region outside the control of Al-Asad's government
A group of Syrian war refugees seeking refuge at the architecture museum in Bosra, located within the chaotic region outside the control of Al-Asad's government
Two sides of one Damascus. The first side is prosperous
Two sides of one Damascus. The second side is the victim
Christian and Muslim young girls share a meal on the street in the bustling heart of Damascus
Syrian contemporary art in the atrium of a contemporary artist's house. The atrium is not just a huge living room, but a whole palace, often in an internal covered courtyard. Wealthy Syrians spend all their money on its renovation, furnishing and decoration - it is not as difficult as we think.
Church of St. Paul, 2023. The end of this Damascus Road to begin the next.

Road to Damaskus

A story of tragedy, humanism and the preservation of cultural heritage

Before crossing the Lebanese-Syrian border, we had a short briefing:

—When you take photos, make sure that the military, equipment, and checkpoints are not in the frame.

— Always?

— (after thinking) Well, they might want to take a selfie.

A few hours later:

— Rami, why is our guide so nervous? The checkpoint is behind us.

(Rami translates the question into Arabic and his expression changes slightly)

— He’s not sure that this area has been completely cleared of mines…

 

Перед прохождением Ливано-Сирийской границы у нас был краткий инструктаж:

—Когда будете фотографировать проверяйте, чтобы в кадр не попадали военные, техника и блокпопосты.
— Всегда?
— (подумав) Ну они могут захотеть сделать селфи на память.

Через несколько часов:

— Рами, а почему наш сопровождающий так нервничает? Блокпост же за спиной.
(Рами переводит вопрос на арабский и немного меняется в лице)
— Он не уверен, что этот участок полностью разминирован…