Beating the Night in Post-Assad Syria
Dance Party in Damascus - Syria's Night of Music and Movement
Damascus, Syria — The clock strikes midnight, and the city's heart throbs with life. A club, nestled in the bustling heart of the capital, roars with a fervent crowd moving in rhythm to pulsating techno beats. It's DJ Nuria from Berlin they're waiting for, and the anticipation is palpable — despite the fatal shooting at a dance bar just days prior causing a ripple of fear. But fear doesn't seem to deter the people here, and the event is sold out, much to the delight of the celebrated Syrian-origin DJ, who hasn't set foot in her homeland since the turbulent civil war erupted in 2011.
A Berlin Dream Realized
For DJ Nuria, this was more than a dream come true; it felt surreal, almost unimaginable. "The crowd was incredible," she says with a glint of emotion in her eyes. "I couldn't have asked for a better welcome back to Syria." The music she played was tailored for the Syrian audience, an underground, hypnotic mix of driving techno beats that echoed Berlin's renowned nightlife. "It was exhilarating performing in Damascus and feeling this sense of freedom," she adds, a sentiment shared by the hundreds of attendees who danced deep into the night.
It's been over a decade since the brutal regime of Bashar al-Assad cracked down on its own people, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands and the displacement of millions. On December 8, 2022, Assad was finally ousted by a rebel alliance led by Islamists, a change that DJ Nuria and the Syrian crowd were eager to embrace.
The Birth of a Movement
Founded on the same day as the regime change, the collective Kasata was responsible for organizing the party with DJ Nuria. Co-founder Philipe Zarif — known as DJ Boshoco — echoes Nuria's sentiment of freedom but remains skeptical of the new leadership in Syria. "I don't trust the new government," he says. "They say one thing, but they act differently."
Rumors of raids on dance venues by armed individuals and alcohol-related closures of bars have caused concern among the scene. Still, there are no official bans on either the sale of alcohol or parties, making it challenging to determine the government's true intentions.
Despite the risks, Zarif and his team are determined to provide a platform for the Syrian youth to experience the joy of music and parties, a luxury they've been deprived of for far too long. "It's part of my responsibility to ensure that the next generation can still dance in this time," he asserts.
A Space to Let Go
For the attendees, these gatherings are a much-needed release, a way to forget the hardships of the past decade and embrace a sense of normalcy. "Without music, life has no flavor — it feels like something is missing," says 24-year-old John Mortada during DJ Nuria's performance. "These parties are necessary. We're nervous, but we want to live," echoes Tatjana Said, another partygoer.
In spite of the lingering fear, music has become an essential tool for processing the trauma and pain of the past decade. As Hamza Hamdan, a club-goer, puts it, "Music helps us cope with all of this."
For many, attending these events is a testament to their resilience and their refusal to let fear dictate their lives. "I was honestly scared to come here," admits another attendee, "but I wanted to be here to prove to myself that we can still live and enjoy life." Despite the challenges, the music lives on, offering a glimmer of hope and a promise of better days to come.
An Uncertain Future
Six months after the fall of the dictator, the future of post-Assad Syria remains uncertain. Deadly attacks on minorities continue to raise concerns, with recent instances involving the Druze and Alawite communities. Whether the new Syria will be a beacon of hope or succumb to the same cycle of violence remains to be seen.
For Zarif and DJ Nuria, one thing is certain: they will continue to fight for the cultural revival of Syria, and they will not let fear win. DJ Nuria is already planning her return to Syria on the Day of Freedom, on December 8th. Despite the risks, she feels compelled to come back and share her love for music with her fellow Syrians.
"It's important that we keep going," Zarif emphasizes. "We cannot allow the past to define us. We must create our own future, a future that we can dance to."
- In the aftermath of Assad's ousting, a collective named Kasata was formed, organizing events like DJ Nuria's party that offer a auditory escape from the hardships of post-war Syria.
- The cultural revival of Syria, exemplified by the rise of events and collectives like Kasata, is a crucial aspect of policy-and-legislation and general-news discussions, as it represents a significant shift in Syrian society following the war-and-conflicts.
- Despite the uncertain future of post-Assad Syria, movements such as Kasata, spearheaded by figures like DJ Nuria and DJ Boshoco, are employing music as a means to heal and instill a sense of normalcy, demonstrating the resilience and determination of the Syrian people.
