Grooving Amidst Unrest: Damascus's pulsating nightlife scene
Syrian Nightlife Erupts: Damascus Stages Vibrant Dance Party amidst Controversies
It's well past midnight, a club smack-dab in the heart of Syria's capital, Damascus. The vibe is electric: revelers are dancing close, jumping to the pulsating techno beats, their hands whirling in the flashing strobe light, and surging around the DJ booth. Tonight's event is a sell-out, every last ticket scooped up. But fear still looms - just days prior, a deadly shooting at a nearby dance bar had sent shivers down the spines of party-goers. Yet, everyone here is waiting for one thing, for DJ Nuria from Berlin.
"Playing a set in Syria was unimaginable, a dream come true," she says, her voice trembling with emotion. Since the brutal Syrian civil war broke out in 2011, this native Syrian hasn't been back to her homeland. Now, she returns as a celebrated Berlin-based DJ, pumping up the crowd in Damascus. "The audience was extraordinary," she says with a hint of awe. And her music? "Raw, hypnotic, relentless techno," she describes it. Fast, driving, experimental.
She feels as if she's in the techno capital of the world, Berlin. The 32-year-old regularly graces stages at Berlin's renowned clubs like Sisyphos, KitKat, or Kater Blau. That she's now standing on stage in Damascus, tasting a fragment of freedom, six months after the uprising in Syria, astounds her. "We were living what we've longed for - our freedom," she says. "Everybody was dancing, reveling, unfettered."
For over a decade, the oppressive regime of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad has suppressed its own population, killing tens of thousands and forcing millions to flee. On December 8, Assad was ousted by a rebel alliance led by Islamists.
Celebrating Life Through Music
The same day, the collective Kasata was born, planning the very party with DJ Nuria. Co-founder Philipe Zarif doesn't trust the new leadership in Syria either. The current transitional government mainly comprises the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which also led the alliance against Assad. "I don't think the state wants there to be nightlife," he says. "They say yes, but act differently."
Recently, reports of raids on dance venues by armed men and the closure of bars have made waves in the scene. While there are no official bans on selling alcohol or hosting parties, bars have been closed more often due to the pretext that no alcohol should be sold. Zarif, a DJ known as Boshoco in Syria and beyond, isn't deterred: "It's part of my responsibility to ensure the next generation can still dance," he underscores. He and his team organize parties because there's a shortage of them. Still, it's risky. In the current situation, planning parties seems almost reckless, he admits - but in a good way, he adds with a laugh.
One way to ensure safety is to invite journalists or videographers. So far, there haven't been any direct incidents with the new government at his events.
"Without music, life loses its flavor - it feels as if something is missing," says 24-year-old John Mortada during DJ Nuria's performance. Over 300 guests, including John and partygoer Tatjana Said, have flocked to this night's event at the B Bar in the Damascus neighborhood of Bab Sharqi. Such parties are crucial, says Tatjana. "We're scared, but we want to live."
An Uncertain Syria Post-Assad
Six months after the downfall of the dictator, Syria's future post-Assad remains uncertain. Internationally and within war-torn Syria itself, recent deadly attacks on minorities continue to stir concerns.
Most recently, Islamist and pro-government fighters attacked members of the Druze minority, killing dozens. In March, hundreds were killed in a military operation by the transitional government, triggered by attacks from Assad supporters. Most of the victims were Alawites, a religious community to which Assad himself belongs.
Embracing Change Through Music
Whether it develops positively or negatively is a question that gets answered day by day, says event organizer Zarif. For him, one thing is certain: "I will not abandon this country, unless they force me out." He intends to stay loud and keep offering events to the people. "It's essential that we keep going," he urges.
DJ Nuria was initially slated for just one gig in Damascus, then moved on to Beirut, and was back at the turntables in Berlin just a few days later. "I feared people would be afraid to attend my party in Damascus," says the DJane. But the opposite happened. She hopes to return to Syria, she says. "At the latest by December 8 - the Day of Freedom."
Source: ntv.de, Amira Rajab, Weedah Hamzah, dpa
Syria
- Politics
- Nightlife
- Music
- Islamists
- HTS
- Assad
- Bashar al-Assad
Enrichment Data:
- Recent Attacks:
- On April 29, a group of armed men attacked the Layila al-Sharq nightclub in central Damascus, and on May 2, another attack occurred at the Al-Karawan nightclub, resulting in the death of a young woman and injuries to others. The attackers were reportedly wearing attire associated with the new regime's security forces.
- Current Nightlife Scene:
- While some bars and restaurants have closed, others continue to operate, albeit with increased caution. The atmosphere remains tense, and patrons are hesitant to go out at night.
- Political Context:
- The transition from Assad's rule to Islamist governance has introduced new uncertainties regarding the future of secular and liberal aspects of Syrian society, including music and nightlife.
- The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a regulation on the social-media platforms, given the recent political changes in Syria, as the new leadership, primarily governed by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), may not be supportive of nightlife activities.
- Amidst the uncertainty of Syria's post-Assad future, DJ Nuria's performance at the B Bar in Damascus served as a beacon of general-news, showcasing the resilience and determination of Syrians to continue embracing entertainment, politics, and social-media spaces, despite the ongoing tensions and potential dangers.
