“Each civilized person in the world should admit that he has two home countries: the one he was born in, and Syria.”
André Parrot, (1901 – 1980), archaeologist specializing in the ancient Near East; director of The Louvre
Had Syria not assumed pariah status in the eyes of some, the Grand Colonnade of Apamea would be considered among the ‘100 noteworthy...
by Susan Dirgham, 25 April 2020
Krak des Chevaliers, 2008
Syrians and Australians
On a crisp winter’s morning in December 2008, a group of La Trobe University students began their tour of Syria with a visit to the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Damascus, where 307 Australian defence personnel from both world wars are buried.
Kurt, an Australian Army officer, who at that time led...
Days full of music and joy
I came to Australia with my family in March 2015, so I have been here for two years. We are sorry that we had to come here as refugees, but we feel very lucky to be able to come here. We are really grateful to the people of Australia for accepting us and...
In September 2019 on a visit to Damascus, I interviewed Athar, a Syrian woman who has been in her church scout group since she was 15 years old. We chatted in Beit Jabri, a popular restaurant in old Damascus.
Athar explained that her scout group meets once a week for band practice and for activities for the children.
Also, at their...
Rasha Milhem
In September 2019, on behalf of ‘Beloved Syria’, I interviewed Ms Rasha Milhem, a Syrian translator, news writer, and filmmaker. Rasha has worked for SANA (Syrian Arab News Agency), the Syrian equivalent of the ABC, since 2009. I found her to be eloquent, deep-thinking and passionate.
Having studied English Literature, Rasha is keenly interested in the arts and...
This interview with Mahdi Al Mahdi took place on 24 September 2019, my last evening in Damascus before I flew out of Syria on my return trip to Australia.
I just chanced upon the ‘White and Black Quartet’ when I sat outside my hotel to chat with friends. It was a ‘magic moment’ for me.
https://youtu.be/oYcsQFdU9-g
Here, 'White and Black Quartet'...
Luke Cornish is drawing on his experiences travelling through Syria to paint a picture of the country beyond the news headlines. (Aired SBS World News February 12th 2017).
Permission to publish on Beloved Syria from Brianna Roberts
First published on 5 March 2017, SBS World News
Extract from interview with Luke Cornish by Maggie Brown, for Beloved Syria, 2nd Issue:
Since being a...
Article by Lisa Accadia, AMES Australia
We recently sat down to interview Bushra, a Syrian who arrived in Australia toward the end of 2016. Bushra spoke generously to us about her life, culture, and faith. What we discovered was a warm-hearted woman whose love for life and good humour was not foreign. We hope that her approach to life and...
Posted by S. Dirgham, who accepts all responsibility for the technical glitches with the subtitles.
Translation of video interview by Rasha Milhem and Sarah Nachar.
This page is being posted on 17 April 2020 to celebrate Syria's 'Evacuation Day'. It is an especially significant day because April 2020 marks 100 years since the San Remo conference, a meeting of the prime...
Article by Claudio Rosano
13th October 2017
It was a match that had all Syrian football fans in a state of football euphoria. Almost two hours before kick off, the front of Stadium Australia was already filled with Syrian fans that had come to support their team in what was arguably the most important World Cup Qualifying match in the history...
