PH Embassy in Damascus Opens Colors of Healing and Hope at Inaugural Art Exhibit

Philippine Chargé d’affaires to Syria Vida Soraya Verzosa with Diplomatic Club of Syria Honorary President, Mrs. Shukria Mekdad, President Atty. Radyanti Fauzi, the participating artists from the Diplomatic Club of Syria, Dir. Rabab Ahmad, members of the Diplomatic Missions and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). (Damascus PE photo)

DAMASCUS 27 October 2022 — In celebration of the Museums and Galleries Month (MGM), the Philippine Embassy in Damascus, in cooperation with the Syrian Ministry of Culture and the Cultural Center of Abu Rummaneh, opened the inaugural five-day art exhibit entitled “Colors of Healing and Hope”, on 16 October 2022 at the Cultural Center of Abu Rummaneh in Damascus. The first-ever Art Exhibition with artists from more than 11 countries, ran from 16 to 20 October 2022, as the grand finale of the Embassy’s participation in the MGM 2022.

The exhibit features work by various amateur artists from different countries and organizations, including the Filipino Community. The artworks were the culminating output of the two-day Art Therapy Workshop held last 09-10 October 2022 as the first part of a series of the Embassy’s activities for MGM 2022. Nearly 60 mixed media paintings that vary in sizes and media techniques were featured.

In her opening remarks, Chargé d’affaires Vida Soraya Verzosa explained the theme of MGM 2022 and its focus on hope and healing, that despite the painful things that happened in one’s home country, there is always hope for recovery. She also expounded on the agreements signed between the Philippines and Syria in the areas of culture, economy, tourism and micro, small, and medium enterprises and cited that the Art Exhibition is an implementation program of countries’ bilateral Cultural Agreement. CDA Verzosa, applying her training in the “Healing with the Arts” course of the University of Florida, also facilitated the two-day Art Therapy Workshop hosted at her residence.

Honorary president of the Diplomatic Club of Syria (DCOS), Mrs. Shukria Mekdad, commented that the art therapy workshop was a wonderful experience, calling it a healing session through colors and painting. Mrs. Mekdad thanked CDA Verzosa and the Embassy team that made the unique workshop a success.

To engage with the viewing public, the exhibit provided a Gallery Guest Book for visitors to impart messages. An “Art Collab Canvas” Area was also prepared so guests can make their own artworks using materials and inspirational messages provided by the Embassy for their creativity prompts.

Approximately 130 people attended the opening ceremony composed of Filipino Community members, Syrian government officials, members of the diplomatic missions, staff of the United Nations, members of DCOS and their families, international organizations, as well as members of the Syrian media who covered this pioneering event. Capping the event were some light snacks and entertainment set up outside the historic venue, known as the oldest Cultural Center in Damascus.

This event is the biggest art exhibition organized by the Embassy and the first time such an art therapy workshop was provided on the occasion of World Mental Health Day 2022 for Filipinos and the international community. END

CDA Verzosa with Mrs. Naimaa Soulaiman, Director of the Cultural Branch in Damascus, Mrs. Radyanti Fauzi, the President of the Diplomatic Club of Syria, and Mrs. Shukria Mekdad the Honorary President of the DCOS during the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Abu Rummaneh Cultural Center, while Dr. Ziad of the Ministry of Culture looks on. (Damascus PE photo)

Mrs. Shukria Mekdad delivers her Keynote Message while Dir. Warif Al-Halabi of the Media and Information Department of the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates listens. (Damascus PE photo)

Dr. Omar Ballan of the UNFPA, Mr. Angelo Antonov of the Bulgarian Embassy, join members of the audience at the opening ceremony, including other Diplomatic Missions, United Nations, media personnel and others. (Damascus PE photo)

Filipino Community members participate in the "Art Collab Canvas" to include their live art and thoughts on the event outside the garden area of the Cultural Center. (Damascus PE photo)

For more information, visit https://www.damascuspe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinSyria/, https://twitter.com/PHinSyria or https://www.instagram.com/phinsyria/.