ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A Syrian singer famed for his revolutionary songs is hopeful there will be newfound freedom of expression after decades of oppression under Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
“Frankly, we are in a completely unclear moment. However, I am confident that Syria is a country of civilization, a country that loves art, music, and all forms of creativity. No matter the circumstances, music and art will remain an integral part of this country, but we are still in a vague phase whose limits are not completely clear. However, I have good hopes for the future,” Samih Choukeir told Rudaw on Saturday.
Choukeir has been singing since the 1980s and is mostly known for his revolutionary music. His most popular song, “Ya Haif,” was released in 2011. It is about the tragedy of children and civilians dying in the war and became an anthem of the revolution.
“People from all governorates sent me clips where the song appears in the streets as if it is an expression of the victory of words over bullets. The vision of the song, which expressed that ‘the people are like fate’ and that ‘hope is clear’, has been realized. Indeed today hope is apparent. The Syrian people are now in a completely new phase,” he said.
Under the regime, “which was full of violations, killings, and bloodshed,” singers had to be very cautious, use symbolic language, and not refer to the oppression the people suffered under, he explained.
Now, Choukeir is working on a new song that he said will reflect how the Syrian people feel after the regime's collapse.
The rebel groups that ousted Assad have set up a transitional government and are beginning discussions with various parties and groups as they chart a new path for the country.
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