Arts
Syrian artist Assala Nasri performed a concert in the capital, Damascus, marking her first in approximately 15 years. The event garnered significant acclaim from both the public and official bodies, which honored the renowned singer across Syria and the wider Arab region. Assala Nasri's concert in Damascus was more than a mere musical evening; it was a moment long-awaited by thousands of Syrians. Held at Al-Fayhaa Hall, the night extended past midnight, signifying the singer's initial appearance in her homeland in roughly 15 years, following an extended absence imposed by her stance against the Bashar al-Assad regime. The Syrian Channel broadcast the concert's events, titled "The Return of Authenticity" (Aoudat Al-Asala), live. Assala commenced her first set with the song "Syria Jannah" (Syria Heaven), featuring lyrics by Batoul Zeidan and Yara Ahmed, and music by Ali Hassoun. She then proceeded to present a wide array of her works over two sets, each lasting approximately two hours. During the performance, Assala emotionally addressed her audience, stating that she still could not fully grasp standing among them and acknowledging her long-held dream of this reunion. She expressed hope that the gathering would occur at a time when all Syrians had begun "a stage of healing," explaining that while "healing" varies from person to person, in her view, it remains incomplete without art, music, and profound respect for them. During the event, Syrian Minister of Culture, Mohammed Yassin Saleh, honored the returning singer with a shield adorned with symbols representing Syrian governorates. He declared that Assala's return symbolizes the homecoming of every sincere and free Syrian to their homeland, expressing Syria's pride in its daughter who has left her distinctive mark everywhere, and now returns to create an impact in her own country. Assala, 57 years old, is the daughter of the late composer and singer Mustafa Nasri. Her last concert in Syria took place in 2010, prior to her alignment with the opposition against the Bashar al-Assad regime, which reportedly fell in December 2024.
