In brief
In a bid to honor the sacrifices made during the civil war, many Syrians are working to safeguard artifacts and memories from their recent past, ensuring their stories are neither forgotten nor repeated.
As Syria moves forward from nearly 14 years of civil strife, a determined group of citizens is committed to preserving the remnants of their uprising against the regime of Bashar al-Assad. Key to this effort are banners, graffiti, and even sculptures fashioned from artillery shells. Many hope these artifacts will not just serve as reminders of their struggle, but also as significant warnings for future generations. Mutassim Abdulsatir, once a prisoner of the infamous Sednaya prison, articulates a sentiment shared by many: “You might say we need to forget these scenes. But I don’t want to forget.” His conviction emphasizes the importance of retaining memories of both the reign of terror and the sacrifices for freedom. Outside Sednaya, Abdulsatir is meticulously collecting nooses, vowing to preserve them within the grim confines of the prison. His vision includes displaying these items in a glass case for future reflection—a monument to the enduring pain and struggle for dignity and justice in Syria. As these efforts continue, the creation of an archive has begun to take shape, involving the collection of hard drives, governmental documents, and personal testimonies. The goal is clear: to demand justice and ensure accountability for the atrocities of the past. The voices of those affected must be preserved, advocating for a future where the horrors endured are recognized and never recreated.
