What is the role of institutions in nurturing contemporary Syrian cultural production? Over the past decade, we have witnessed an astonishing outpouring of cultural production by Syrians, driven by an urge to respond to the fast-changing realities that have confronted them. This has been a powerful reminder of the emancipatory potential of creative forms of expression to re-shape narratives, push boundaries and conceive new ways of inhabiting the world. The integral role played by organisations and institutions in nurturing and sustaining the work carried out by these creative communities has become increasingly evident. Often it has armed them with the critical and creative tools to re-imagine and deliver new modes of co-existence.

The panel, part of the the London Syrian Arts and Culture Festival (SACF), saw Shireen Atassi from Atassi Foundation, Abdullah AlKafri from Ettijahat - Independent Culture, and Khaled Barakeh from coculture discuss over the Access to the future. Over the course of the evening they shed light on the challenges they have faced, the lessons that have been learned and their aspirations for the future of Syrian cultural and artistic production. The panel was moderated by Anas Darkawi. Held online, Friday 28 January 2022, 7pm GMT.

This event is presented in association with the British Library and in partnership with Shubbak, Ettijahat and Zamakan. Part of the Against Disappearance series, supported by the British Council Cultural Protection Fund which is led by the British Council in partnership with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.