November 2007

I have always been interested in ‘role models.’ Whenever I conduct a personal interview with famous Syrians, I always wrap up with one question, “Who are your inspirational figures; who are your role models in life?” A role model by definition can be a friend or a family member, a living celebrity, or a long gone iconic figure. I have got-ten a colorful variety of answers over the years. Most people usually say “my father.” Duraid Lahham, however, said; “my mother!” Ambassador Imad Moustapha said it was his great-grandfather Abdul Rahman Kawakbi, among others, and Maestro Sulhi al-Wadi. The former ambassador and officer Suhayl al-Ashi said it was the late President Shukri al-Quwatli. Expatriate Minister Buthaina Shaaban said it was the late President Hafez al-Assad. Mohammad al-Maghhout said it was Mohammad al-Maghout. If I were asked the same question, my answer would be, in addition to both my mother and father, the late poet Nizar Qabbani and former President Quwatli. As for ‘inspirational figures’ in my life, I would name Munir al-Ajlani, a scholar and politician from the 1930s who introduced me to the world of Syrian history, Professor Samir Seikaley of AUB, who made me love history at large, and my friend Abdulsalam Haykal, who encouraged and helped me write my first book when we were students at the Faculty of Political Science at AUB; a seemingly crazy task for two 19-year olds.

From motor-biking, reading, and traveling, to watching grand Syrian TV productions like “Bab al-Hara,” there is quite nothing about life that doesn’t interest Malek Atassi, the Creative Group Head at TBWA\RAAD Dubai.

Adventurous, fun, curious and young, Malek asks more question than anyone else I have interviewed. His sharp and witty comments, along with his humorous remarks make it no surprise that one still remembers the creative advertisements he designed for Galaxy and Twix.

Good directors are one thing, and great directors are another. Seif Sbei draws a clear line between both, a good job and an excellent job, having recently completed what he describes as his ‘most mature work’ to date, the grand Ramadan-TV series “al-Hosrom al-Shami” (Bitter Damascene Grapes).

FW met Seif Sbei to discuss the phenomenon of actors-turned directors in Syria. After all, he himself had started out as one of the most promising young Syrian actors in the 1990s. Being the son of Raiq Sbei, a legend of Syrian TV, cinema, and theater, it was only natural for Seif to turn to show-business. He started out as an actor in memorable roles, mainly Yasser al-Azma’s annual satire ‘Maraya,’ then trained as a director at the hands of Syria’s noted director Haitham Hakki. Seif, with six works directed to his record, now stands as part of a long tradition of actors-turned directors, starting from the most recognized and versatile Hatem Ali. Other actors who decided to stand behind the camera, include Aref al-Tawil and Rami Hanna who recently finished his first TV series as a director. When asked about his controversial re-cent work «al-Hosrom al-Shami» (Bit-ter Damascene Grapes). Seif paused for a moment then said that it was his most mature directing experience; different from all other works that deal with Damascus. The setting is 18th century Ottoman Damascus, and the work delves deep into society, beyond habitual daily relationships. The work examines conflict between governors (wali) and Caliphs; a different DamascusSyria (it broadcasted on the Orbit network exclusively during Ramadan). With no doubt, he encourages this debate and looks forward to seeing people’s reactions towards this work. “I feel that I have a commitment to show the real history of Damascus. People think that Damascus is like what we saw in “Ayyam Shamieh,” (a series that paints a rosy image of the Syrian capital during Ottoman times, which aired in the early 1990s). This is not true; there is another side to it. There is always another side to the coin, because of the prevailing conflict between good and evil. This is what keeps life going and what I want to show to people.” from the one we’re used to seeing on the small screen. This production, he adds, will undoubtedly inspire a great deal of discussion once it airs in

voice, seemingly coming from the Heavens, has captured the minds, hearts—and ears—of music lovers in Syria. Young, talented, charming and beautiful, the singer Lena Chamamyan spread like forest ire in popularity, throughout Syria. She spoke to FW about her past, future, her dreams and convictions.

Weight loss is becoming a big business in the Middle East, and only recently—during the last decade—has the concept really impinged on Syria. After all, according to WHO’s 2002 re-port, obesity has been rated alongside diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer in terms of major attributing factors of death in Syria. Moreover, international media stations have drastically influenced and altered people’s perceptions of what their bodies should look like. People have been trying to lose weight for years, but only recently have we been introduced to herbal tea products; “natural” appetite suppressants and brands like Xenical, known to pre-vent the absorption of fats. Speaking to FW, pharmacist Bassam Abousaud said, “Over the last two years there has been a dramatic increase in the production, sale, and popularity of weight loss products in Syria.” When asked to asses the risk associated with such products, Abousaud organized them into three major groups: appetite suppressants, lipase inhibitors, and laxatives.

What do young Syrians speak about at cafes in Damascus? Life? Work? Education? Or how difficult it is becoming to be a young man in Syria?

Sitting in any of the trendy cafés in Damascus amid the cacophony of animated discussions, cellular phone calls and the incredible amount of smoke from the eternal water pipes and cigarettes; one can only marvel at the unbounded energy of the younger generation in Syria. The habit of staying out late, eating, smoking and arguing loudly about a wide range of topics seems to have evolved into a deeply seated and daily ritual.

Are Syrians creative? If measured by billboard ads in Syria, the answer will probably be: “no.”But why? Why this unfair self-perception? To find a real answer we decided to delve into the ‘advertising world.’ A country with a well developed advertising industry after all, usually enjoys a higher degree of cultural appreciation. But let us re-consider this question. Doesn’t it sound a little strange, as if one were asking, “Are the French smart?” or “Are the South Africans punctual?”

The more I see,
The more I know;
The more I know,
The less I understand…

‘The Changingman,’ Paul Weller, Stanley Road, 1993

I really do not understand the world around me!

The topic of same-sex relations has rarely been addressed in the Arab culture in general and in the Syrian society in particular. It always came accross as ‘an unnatural’ expression of love. Very few researchers or writers in the Arab world have tried to discuss the topic, without making it seem odd and ‘queer’ in the negative sense of the word. The topic is mainly treated as a ‘Western thing’ that is alien to Arab culture and to what is regarded as ‘our tradition’. A closer look at the components of Arab culture, however, shows that intimate same-sex relations are not-so foreign. Hence, it is essential to examine some social, religious and cultural codes that validate same-sex relations within the context of friendship, and frown upon them within the context of love.

The bus was just about to leave Manhattan’s Port Authority bus station when a final passenger hopped in. He staggered inside, thanking the driver for opening the door at the last minute, and strolled down the aisle looking for a free seat. He skipped the first (and nearly only) one he saw, kept walking down and sat himself beside a middle-aged woman holding a noisy toddler. From my seat in the middle of the bus, I had observed the scene, and two very similar previous ones, where other passengers had also skipped that empty seat at the front of the bus in favor of other ones further down.