Syrian Refugees Recreate Demolished Monuments to Preserve Their History and Culture

"This is a way for them not to forget," one of the refugee camp residents said.

February 19, 2016, 1:40 PM

Mahmoud Hariri, 25, was an art teacher and painter back in Syria before coming to Zaatari in 2013 to escape the violence. "When I first arrived I didn't think I would continue my work as I only expected to be here for a week or two. But when I realized it would be years, I knew I had to start again or lose my skills".
UNHCR/Christopher Herwig

 -- A group of Syrian artists living in Jordan’s Za’atari refugee camp have created miniature models of Syria's landmarks and architecture, many of which have been destroyed or currently are under threat.

Using basic tools and materials around the camp -- such as discarded wood, kebab skewers and clay -- refugee artists are rebuilding historical sites like Palmyra and the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, according to the UN Refugee Agency, or UNHCR.

"This is a way for them not to forget," Za'atari resident Mahmoud Hariri, told UNHCR. "As artists, we have an important role to play. A lot of what we know about ancient civilizations or prehistoric people is preserved through their art."

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Mahmoud Hariri, 25, was an art teacher and painter in Syria before he sought refuge at the Jordan camp in 2013, he said.

PHOTO: The group of artists in front of their artwork. "We chose this project to highlight what is happening in Syria, because many of these sites are under threat or have already been destroyed". — The group of artists in front of their artwork. "We chose this project to highlight what is happening in Syria, because many of these sites are under threat or have already been destroyed",says project coordinator Ahmad Hariri, 30, from Daraa (third from left).

"I’m very worried about what is happening," Hariri told UNHCR, while building a model of Palmyra. "This site represents our history and culture, not just for Syrians but all of humanity. If it is destroyed it can never be rebuilt."

PHOTO: Mahmoud built his model of Palmyra using clay and wooden kebab skewers. Mahmoud hopes that by seeing the exhibition, residents at Zaatari will remain connected with the country and culture they have been forced to leave behind. — Mahmoud built his model of Palmyra using clay and wooden kebab skewers. Mahmoud, who like the other artists is also from Daraa, hopes that by seeing the exhibition, residents at Zaatari will remain connected with the country and culture they have been forced to leave behind.

Hariri and other artists recently displayed their models at a community center and at an exhibition in Aman, Jordan's capital.

Damascus's Umayyad Mosque is one of the miniature replicas displayed at the community centre.

One of the artists, 44-year-old Ismail Hariri, has now been asked to run art classes for 44 children at the camp's community center.

The Deir ez-Zor suspension bridge is one of the miniature replicas displayed at the community centre.

The project's coordinator, Ahmad Hariri, told the UNHCR that he hopes the models will help educate the camp's children about their homeland.

PHOTO: Ismail Hariri, 44, began sculpting at an early age. After moving to Zaatari with his wife and seven children in 2013, he was initially reluctant to take it up again, but got involved when he heard about the project. — Ismail Hariri, 44, was an interior designer before the conflict began and began sculpting at an early age. After moving to Zaatari with his wife and seven children in 2013, he was initially reluctant to take it up again, but got involved when he heard about the project.

"There are lots of kids living here who have never seen Syria or who have no memory of it," he said. "They know more about Jordan than about their own country."