The Syrian Pavilion returns to Venice after the fall of the regime. The interview

The Syrian Pavilion returns to the Venice Biennale after the fall of the regime, marking the country's first participation since 2024. The pavilion, curated by artist Sara Shamma, is housed in the former refrigerated warehouses of Santa Marta at the Iuav University of Venice and runs until November 22. It features an installation inspired by the ancient funerary towers of Palmyra, combining painting, architecture, light, sound, and scent to explore cultural heritage and the restitution of looted antiquities.

This return signals a significant reopening of cultural and diplomatic ties between Syria and Italy, particularly Venice, after years of isolation. The pavilion is part of a broader collaboration between Iuav University and the Syrian government, including urban planning projects in Damascus. It highlights the role of art in addressing loss, memory, and the destruction of cultural heritage, while also fostering international academic and institutional partnerships.