Syrian youth revive street performances
Young Syrian musicians perform on the streets of Damascus to engage passersby, despite the security crackdowns.
DAMASCUS, Syria — As a result of the Syrian conflict, cultural events have been on the decline in Damascus. Yet, some performers have moved from theater stages to the streets, with passersby as the audience.
Young Syrians have become familiar with the organization Meet Us On The Road, whose members appear unexpectedly on the street with their instruments to recite their "musical" prayers, only to disappear suddenly.
The group's most recent appearance on Oct. 9 was different. Titled “Musical March,” six young men and women started a musical march in Old Damascus, at the Khan Asad Pasha in al-Buzuriyah Souk.
Nawar Ismandar, a participant in the march and member of Meet Us On The Road, told Al-Monitor, “What is different about the performances that we give is that they are unexpected. The street is our theater, and the people there are the audience.”
