Syria: Quo Vadis?

For many Syrians living in exile, the new year begins with renewed hope. After decades of tyranny, the Assad regime has fallen, and the country stands at the threshold of a new beginning. As political prisoners are released and the immense injustices of the past are addressed, numerous questions arise: How does one cope as the chains of fear loosen and memories of a nearly forsaken homeland resurface? How are relatives and friends faring on the ground? What comes next? How can one contribute to the reconstruction? Is return an option?

In 2016, the Goethe-Institut hosted “Damascus in Exile”, a festival highlighting the work of Syrian cultural practitioners in exile. Many of the artists and cultural figures invited back then have since established themselves in new lives. Memories that were fresh at the time have often faded, only to be stirred again by recent developments. Nine years later, Syrians are experiencing not just a sense of upheaval and euphoria but also uncertainty about whether it will be possible to build a stable future.

In light of these developments, the Goethe-Institut in Exile, in collaboration with long-standing and new partners from the Syrian diaspora, invites you to the start of a series of events focusing on Syria. Building on the conversations initiated in 2016 and the years that followed, this event will delve into the challenges, perspectives, and visions for the future that authors are grappling with in this pivotal moment.