Art, an Opportunity to Picture Truth of War

Zoher Ramadan, a renowned Syrian actor and a member of parliament, told irantheater.ir that Takfiri groups entered in the international scene under the name of Islam had been a big lie.

"We should tell the world that they have nothing to do with Islam but the US and Israel support them. These groups are anti-Islam and anti-law and have come to conquer Syria but we should tell the truth through the medium of art," he said.

Mr Ramadan, who is head of Syrian Artists Union, said that it had been five years that Syria was grappling with civil war and the meeting could be a positive chance to exchange the country's art experiences under war to other countries.

The former head of Syria's office of theater and music said that many region in Syria was brought under the rule of Takfiri groups over the years. There are children born under the war. They are five years old now and have not seen anything except for war and destruction. People are displaced from insecure society.

"We, the Syrian artists, are producing pieces for people. The pieces, which show realities of war and bolster the solidarity and national unity. People should have solidarity to construct Syria anew," Mr Ramadan explained.

He added that this idea came true in pieces for children, grown-ups and family theaters while some children shows had been performed by child actors and actresses.

One of the main objectives and programs of his attendance in the meeting was to attract joint cooperation to produce and perform plays, the parliamentarian said.

On theater condition, Mr Ramadan said that unfortunately, war had led to destruction of many theater venues in Syria event those had been survived since the ancient Rome. For example, the Roman Theater at Bosra in the district of Dar'a was largely destructed and there was another theater venue where one of the Syrian artists was beheaded and many documents, books and films were ruined.

"We have to renovate these buildings first and we need supports in this regard…Of course, the people's livelihood the first priority of the officials and cultural matters are of second priority," he said. "Having medicines and baby milk are more important than reconstruction of buildings destroyed. But we the Syrian artists try to attract supports for are activities to renovate the destroyed theaters."

Referring that theater has a long history in Syria, he said that the country had about 120 theater venues of them 80 percent had been destructed. "We need help from the friend countries to renovate our theater venues."