In Syria, culture has become a critical line of defence against tyranny. Syria Speaks is a celebration of a people determined to reclaim their dignity, freedom and self-expression. It showcases the work of over fifty artists and writers who are challenging the culture of violence in Syria. Their literature, poems and songs, cartoons, political posters and photographs document and interpret the momentous changes that have shifted the frame of reality so drastically in Syria. Moving and inspiring, Syria Speaks is testament to the courage, creativity and imagination of the Syrian people. 'Syria Speaks is a remarkable achievement and a remarkable book - a wise, courageous, imaginative and beautiful response to all that is ugly in human behaviour. This extraordinary anthology gives a voice to those we may have forgotten, or whom we may classify as simply passive and silent victims. The people shown living, dreaming and speaking here are far more than victims and only silent if we refuse to hear them.' A.L. Kennedy 'An extraordinary collection, revealing a dynamic and exciting culture in painful transition - a culture where artists are really making a difference ... You need to read this book.' Brian Eno

Introduction vii Hama '82 1 Gateways to a Scorched Land, Samar Yazbek 2 Ongoing, Sulafa Hijazi 10 The Thieves' Market, Ossama Mohammed 17 Lettuce Fields, Khaled Khalifa 27 Revolution 2011; Chicken Liver, Khalil Younes 36 Between the Cultures of Sectarianism and Citizenship, Hassan Abbas 48 Banners in the Colour of the Euphrates, Kartoneh 60 The Art of Persuasion, Alshaab alsori aref tarekh & Charlotte Bank 66 The Symbol and Counter-Symbols in Syria, Zaher Omareen 84 Cartoons by Kafranbel, Photographs by Mezar Mattar 102 Mystery Shopper: Interview with Assaad al-Achi, Malu Halasa 104 Popular Collision, Omar Alassad 112 Lens Young 118 A Black Cloud in a Leaden White Sky, or Death by Stabs of Sorrow, Ali Safar 130 Literature of the Syrian Uprising, Robin Yassin-Kassab 138 Loneliness Pampers Its Victims, Dara Abdullah 145 Have You Heard the Testimonies of the Photographs, about the Killings in Syria?, Fadia Lazkani 149 Regarding the Pain of Others and Damascus 15 Feb 2012 19:47:31, Khaled Barakeh, Photographs by Jens Steingasser 157 I'm Positively Sure about the Event, Rasha Omran 165 Two Cartoons, Ali Ferzat 168 On the Intellectual and the Revolution: An interview with Yassin al-Haj Saleh 172 Cocktail, Comic4Syria 181 Lifetimes Stolen, Yara Badr 192 Letter for the Future, Mazen Darwish 202 Daily Occurrences, Mohamad Omran & Golan Haji 205 Song in the Revolution 210 'Come on Bashar, Get Out!', Qashoush 211 'Female Refugees', Monma, Al-Raas and Al Sayyed Darwish 214 The Lure of the Streets, Hani al-Sawah 220 Tashriqa: Prayer for Homs, Faraj Bayrakdar 222 From the Outside Looking In, Dan Gorman 224 Youssef from the Inside, Paintings by Youssef Abdelke, Photographs by Nassouh Zaghlouleh 235 Art & Freedom, Amer Mattar & Artists 240 Syria's Imperfect Cinema, Chad Elias & Zaher Omareen 257 Who Wants to Kill a Million?; Diaries of a Little Dictator, Masasit Mati 269 A Plate of Salmon is Not Completely Cleansed of Blood, Rasha Abbas 276 The Smartest Guy on Facebook, Aboud Saeed 279 Stencilling Martyrs 284 Acknowledgements 290 About the Contributors, Translators and Editors 291 Permissions 299 Index

Malu Halasa co-curated three exhibitions of Syria's art of resistance in London, Amsterdam and Copenhagen in 2012 and 2013. Her other works include 'The Secret Life of Syrian Lingerie'. Zaher Omareen is a Syrian writer, who has worked on independent cultural initiatives in Syria and Britain. He is currently completing 'Tales of the Orontes River', a collection of short stories. Nawara Mahfoud is a Syrian journalist and documentary producer who has worked for the New York Times. She blogs for the New Yorker.com, among other publications.