AGP Executive Report

Mosaic Revival: Syrian artist Muhammed Barini, 85, has returned from Türkiye to rebuild his family’s mosaic craft in Syria. After war destroyed the family’s four factories, they opened a new workshop and are making panels again. Syrian Art Abroad: Syrian artist Nour Bahjat is among more than 300 participants at Muscat Art 2026 in Oman, where the exhibition features contemporary art, talks and workshops. Rediscovered Painter: Peter Besharo, born in Syria in 1899, left 69 paintings that were found in a Pennsylvania garage after his death. Some of his work is now held by the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Books: Robin Yassin-Kassab’s The Blood Between Us: Syria After the Fall of Assad combines travel writing and analysis of the country’s uncertain transition.

Arab Arts: The Institut du monde arabe’s incoming vision includes a new museum focused on modern and contemporary art, plus efforts to connect creative communities across the Gulf, North Africa and the Levant. Syrian Art: Paintings by Syrian-born Pennsylvania handyman Peter Besharo, found in a garage after his death, are gaining recognition; some of his 69 works are now at the Smithsonian. His art explored religion, Armenian folklore, American history and the subconscious. Arts Education: Revisions to Syria’s school curriculum are drawing controversy over the removal of women’s imagery and arts content, alongside changes to citizenship lessons.

Syrian Art in the Diaspora: The Smithsonian is bringing attention to Peter Besharo, a Syrian-born Pennsylvania handyman whose 69 paintings were discovered in a garage after his death. His works explore religion, Armenian folklore and American history. Arts in the Classroom: Syria’s revised school curricula are drawing controversy over the removal of women’s imagery, arts content and citizenship lessons.

Regional Film: Sharjah’s 13th International Film Festival for Children and Youth has opened, bringing a regional spotlight to young audiences and cinema. Arts in Schools: Debate is growing over Syria’s curriculum revisions, which critics say remove women’s imagery and arts and citizenship lessons. Syrian Screen Talent: Hiam Abbass will receive an honorary European Film Academy award for her contribution to world cinema.

Damascus Arts: The AUS Syria alumni chapter relaunched in Damascus, announcing a scholarship fund for Syrian students and plans to build new connections through an event at the Art House Hotel. Regional Cinema: Sharjah’s children and youth film festival opened with 71 films from 38 countries, including the world premiere of Emirati film Mangrove House. Syrian Talent: Actor Hiam Abbass is set to receive an honorary European Film Academy award for her contribution to world cinema. Arts and Education: Revisions to Syrian textbooks have removed images of artworks and sculptures, alongside lessons on citizenship and democratic participation. Craft Revival: A Damascus artisan is drawing on the city’s stained-glass tradition to imagine its future.

Film: Sharjah’s International Film Festival for Children and Youth has opened, featuring 71 films from 38 countries through November 1, with Italy as guest of honour. Damascus in print: A review of The Book of Damascus reflects on the city’s pull, its history and the complicated bond outsiders can form with it. Arts in schools: Syrian textbook revisions have sparked debate after artwork was altered or removed and lessons on citizenship and public life were cut. Living craft: A Damascus artisan is drawing on the city’s stained-glass tradition to bring its craft heritage into the present.

Film: Sharjah’s 13th International Film Festival for Children and Youth has opened, screening 71 films from 38 countries through November 1 and spotlighting Italian cinema. Damascus in print: A review of The Book of Damascus, edited by Zaher Omareen, reflects on the city’s pull, its darkness and the stories that shape its many identities. Arts in schools: Syrian textbook revisions have stirred debate after women’s images and artworks were altered or removed, alongside lessons on citizenship and civic life. Regional cinema: Syrian producer Mohamed Mashish says stronger scripts and more development time are key to Egyptian cinema reaching wider audiences. On the international stage: Syrian actor Hiam Abbass is set to receive an honorary European Film Academy award for her contribution to world cinema.

Arts in Schools: Textbook revisions are stirring debate in Syria after new editions blurred artworks and statues and removed lessons on citizenship, local government and political life. Film: Syrian producer Mohamed Mashish says better scripts and more time for development are key to sustaining Egyptian cinema’s recovery. Syrian Talent: Hiam Abbass is set to receive an honorary European Film Academy award. Damascus Craft: A local artisan is drawing on the city’s stained-glass heritage to shape its future. Football: Syria’s U15 team lost 3-1 to Malaysia at the new FIFA festival; Syria is also in the 2027 Asian Cup, which could be postponed to 2028 depending on regional conditions.

Film: Syrian producer Mohamed Mashish says Egyptian cinema needs more time and investment in script development to turn its growing output into films that reach audiences at home and abroad. On the Pitch: Syria’s Under-15 team lost 3-1 to Malaysia at the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival in Baku. Honors: Syrian-Palestinian actor Hiam Abbass is set to receive the European Film Academy’s honorary award for her contribution to world cinema. Damascus Craft: A local artisan is drawing on the city’s stained-glass heritage to illuminate its future.

Syrian Cinema: Filmmaker Rama Abdy’s documentary House No. 7, about three women building a refuge in Damascus, won a prize at Egypt’s CineGouna festival, which awarded more than $350,000 to regional film projects. Damascus Craft: A local artisan is drawing on the city’s stained-glass tradition to illuminate its future, keeping a historic craft alive. Screen Honors: Syrian actor Hiam Abbass is set to receive an honorary European Film Academy award for her contribution to world cinema. Culture and Community: A Damascus bakery is bringing people together through reading, while Syrian winemakers continue working under new alcohol rules.

Syrian Film: Rama Abdy’s Damascus-set documentary “House No. 7,” about three women building a refuge, won a $15,000 CineGouna award, offering a boost to Syrian storytelling amid regional funding gaps. Damascus Craft: A local artisan is drawing on the city’s stained-glass heritage to light its future. Books in Damascus: A bakery is luring customers into reading, bringing books into an everyday gathering place.

Regional Film: Syrian filmmaker Rama Abdy’s documentary House No. 7, about three women creating a refuge in Damascus, won support at El Gouna’s CineGouna Funding program, which awarded more than $350,000 to Arab film projects. Syrian Artists Abroad: Swiss Syrian visual artist Deldar Felemez is showing 17 paintings inspired by Bahraini poet Qassim Haddad’s work in Manama. Stories of Exile: Cate Blanchett’s Displacement Film Fund is releasing five shorts, including Syrian filmmaker Hasan Kattan’s documentary Allies in Exile. Damascus Craft: A local artisan is drawing on the city’s stained-glass tradition to illuminate its future. Screen Honors: Syrian actor Hiam Abbass will receive an honorary European Film Academy award for her contribution to world cinema.

Film: Syrian filmmaker Hasan Kattan is part of Cate Blanchett’s Displacement Film Fund’s first slate of five shorts, launching with his documentary Allies in Exile. The films explore identity, exile and belonging. Screen Honors: Hiam Abbass will receive the European Film Academy’s honorary award for achievement in world cinema. Damascus Crafts: A local artisan is drawing on the city’s stained-glass tradition to shape its future. Television: Syrian actress Jumana Murad is set to join the 2027 Ramadan drama season.

Screen Spotlight: Syrian-born Palestinian actress Hiam Abbass will receive the European Film Academy’s honorary award for her contribution to world cinema. Her credits range from The Syrian Bride and Lemon Tree to Succession. Damascus Craft: A local artisan is drawing on the city’s stained-glass heritage to shape its future, while a Damascus bakery is finding another way to bring people together: through books and reading. On Screen: Syrian actress Jumana Murad is set to join the Ramadan 2027 drama lineup. Food & Heritage: Syrian winemakers are pressing on under new alcohol rules, keeping a longstanding craft alive amid changing regulations.

Film: Syrian-connected actress Hiam Abbass will receive the European Film Academy’s 2027 European Achievement in World Cinema Award, honoring a career spanning more than 100 films. Damascus Culture: An artisan is reviving the city’s stained-glass tradition, while a Damascus bakery is drawing people in with books and reading. Music & Wine: Syrian artist BOUMPH! features on a new MENA playlist with the indie-rock track “Dammooni Lal Qatee3.” Meanwhile, the country’s winemakers are pressing on under new alcohol rules.

Film: Syrian-Palestinian actress Hiam Abbass will receive the European Film Academy’s 2027 European Achievement in World Cinema Award, honoring a career spanning more than 100 films, including The Syrian Bride, Paradise Now and Succession. Music: Syrian artist BOUMPH! features in SceneNoise’s latest MENA playlist with “Dammooni Lal Qatee3,” an indie-rock track taking an ironic swipe at social expectations. Damascus Crafts: Artisan Fayez Talmasani is teaching the city’s centuries-old stained-glass craft, helping keep its colorful architectural tradition alive as Damascus rebuilds. Food and Heritage: Syrian winemakers are carrying on despite new alcohol rules and past disruptions; one Tartus-area producer has revived his family’s wine business after the war forced him to relocate.