Face of the future: Bushra Hamwi

“Poetry isn’t a profession, it’s a way of life.
It’s an empty basket; you put your life into it and make something out of that.” Mary Oliver

A wise yet mad woman, ranting and raving and beaming with dreams and ambitions; a walking contradiction, she faces reality and is full of dreams.
Communication consultant, PR manager and writer, Bushra Hamwi, is full of poetry! Hamwi is deiantly one different face of Syria’s future.
In an attempt to examine relationships in the Arab world, Hamwi’s irst book of poetry, “Who Got Eve out of Heaven,” tells the story of a woman who secludes herself in the mountains to ponder a thought.
This book achieved notable critical success in the Middle East and was highly acclaimed by renowned Arab artists.
Driven by passion and maybe impulsiveness, Hamwi dropped out of the American University in Cairo to start up an Internet services company with a friend in Dubai.
From there, she was called to work with a number of the top multinational advertising and PR agencies in the region.
Moving from Dubai to New York City to pursue her studies at NYU, she continues to work on campaigns that tackle issues of youth empowerment and promoting corporate and social responsibility, something she tried to accomplish as former co-host on a prime time youth talk show on MBC.

 Did you ever live abroad? If yes, where did you live?
I was raised between Jeddah and Damascus, and then moved on my own, working and studying between Cairo, Dubai, Qatar and New York.

 Why did you leave Syria? Do you consider moving back to Syria?
To experience life at large, my work revolves around traveling and building an international network, hence it’s not really a problem where I end up living.
Syria is the land of self-starters, and self-owned businesses.
There is a lot that can be done, but it all comes down to what you want to do.

What is the life achievement you dream of establishing?
It’s more of a dream in process; a television program that bridges the gap between the youth of east and west, between the youth of different backgrounds within Bushra Hamwi the same society.
Media is powerful, and much needed at a time where there is a communication breakdown in the world.
The lack of communication causes the misunderstanding, and bears out the misconceptions.

 What is the one thing or thought that troubles you and keeps you awake and thinking at night?
What’s next? What can I do to make a positive change, in my life, and the life of those I care about? I try to live an examined life, I don’t really take for granted the way people interpret religion, business or relationships.
There are a million shades between liberal and conservative, between “right” and “wrong,” there is no such thing as taking sides, there are only innovative solutions and visionary people.
It just doesn’t make sense to me having to mold myself into a stereotype just to it in, or give up a belief to appeal.
We are a hybrid generation, and we’re more capable of acceptance and embracing diversity.
I believe in trend-setters.

 What was your irst paying job?
I work on project basis, I do a lot of jobs, it’s hard to keep track.
But I would consider my job with “Hill & Knowlton” my irst, just because it was the irst job that I really pursued, that pay-check tasted like freedom, the freedom of earning money from a job that I really enjoyed doing and learned a lot from.

 Looking through your life, who’s the one person that inluenced you the most?
My father is an exceptional, beautiful man.
Very human! A great family man who taught his children the art of appreciating life and what’s real, he is a religious and liberal man who understood the depth of religion and broadened our views.
Everything was talked about in my house, sex, religion, death, luck.
A very young father who progressed with us, gave us the freedom to disagree and held us accountable for our choices.
How can you let down a man like that? He is the love of my life.

 Who is your inspirational igure?
Cartoon igures. They’re super heroes, honestly look at them! They have a fantastic imagination; add to that they’re funny and entertaining.  I would say Goofy tops the list.

 Looking through Syria’s past and present, who is the female igure you admire the most?
The name present in my mind now is Rana Kabbani, a great woman with so much heart and wisdom.
She read my poetry book, and we talked, I’m humbled by her kindness.
It’s interesting to know women who redeine the term “Femme Fatale.
” It’s the combination of smart, strong, and simple that makes her undeniably attractive and unforgettable.

 If you could, what one thing would you change in Syrian society?
In religion, we are addicted to habits, stuck in closed circles forgetting the core purpose of faith.
In business, our perception of competition is “imitate and agitate.
” It’s always easier to copy others, and bring them down, than to compete with style; or perhaps it’s just telepathy that gets ten people to open the same falafel restaurant on the same street.
I value: Family, creativity, and honesty.
I am fascinated by: Everything.
I’m curious by nature; God has created an interesting world.
The world needs more: Tranquilizers, and adrenaline, equally.
I would walk a thousand miles to: Enjoy the view.
What is your favorite quote: “Youth ages, immaturity is outgrown, ignorance can be educated, drunkenness sobered - but stupidity last forever.
” Aristotle List 3 things that make you laugh: Only Children; spontaneous and genuine, they don’t act a role to make you laugh.
List the three traits you admire in people: The ability to be happy.
That’s it.
I don’t think any change in circumstances ever will make an ungrateful person happier.