From Exile to Center Stage: Syrian Brothers Return Home After 14 Years
Table of Contents
- From Exile to Center Stage: Syrian Brothers Return Home After 14 Years
- From Underground Resistance to Global Stage: A Syrian artist’s Journey of Resilience and artistic Triumph
Damascus, Syria – After 14 years of exile, Syrian brothers Mohamad and Ahmad Malas, both now 41 years old, have returned to their Damascus apartment, a space that once served as an underground theater. The brothers were forced to abandon their home and artistic haven in 2011 after participating in the popular movement against Bashar al-Assad. Their return marks a poignant chapter, blending the pain of displacement with the hope of rebuilding their homeland’s cultural landscape. Following events in late 2024, the brothers are bringing their internationally recognized play, “The Two Refugees,” back to Syria, performing across the country.
Dust motes dance in the sunlight filtering through the windows of Mohamad and Ahmad Malas’s Damascus apartment, a silent testament to the 14 years it stood abandoned. The air hangs heavy with the scent of aged wood, and each step the brothers take echoes through the stillness. Furniture lies shrouded in dust, and portraits of their deceased father and brother gaze down from the walls, frozen in time. With no electricity, the brothers navigate their former home using the flashlights on their phones, searching for forgotten personal treasures.
The apartment holds more than just memories; it was once a sanctuary for artistic expression. Before their departure from Syria, the Malas brothers transformed their home into a stage, producing original theater plays away from the censorship of the Assad regime. In the two years leading up to their exile, they staged over 200 performances within those walls. This underground theater became a beacon of free expression in a time of increasing political repression.
Looking around brings back so many memories,
Mohamad said. It’s painful.
The Uprising and Escape
The brothers’ lives took a dramatic turn in 2011 when they joined the wave of protests inspired by the Arab Spring, calling for the removal of Assad from power. Ahmad was wanted by the political police for sharing a revolutionary magazine. When security forces arrived, he fled immediately.Mohamad stayed behind briefly to gather essential belongings before joining his brother in their escape to Lebanon.
life in Lebanon was precarious, with the constant threat of deportation looming over Syrian refugees. Seeking stability, the brothers briefly considered Egypt, but felt unable to pursue their acting careers there. Europe, they believed, offered the freedom to perform without censorship or fear. This decision was pivotal, setting the stage for their eventual asylum in France.
Finding Asylum and Rebuilding in France
In 2013, Mohamad and Ahmad arrived in France as asylum seekers, facing the daunting challenge of learning a new language and navigating an unfamiliar culture. Their first year was marked by uncertainty, moving from city to city, unable to work. Eventually, they were granted asylum and settled in Reims, in northeastern France. There, they began the arduous process of rebuilding their acting careers, securing roles in theater, film, and television productions.
As they re-established themselves, they co-wrote and performed “The Two Refugees,” a play inspired by their own experiences as refugees in france.The production resonated deeply with audiences and garnered international acclaim, taking them to countries such as Iraq, Japan, and Jordan, often with the support of French cultural institutions. The play became a powerful symbol of their journey and a testament to their resilience.
France gave us security and a chance to continue our art in a free world,
ahmad said. They value theatre and cinema, so we were able to prove ourselves and make a living.
The Call Home
Returning to Syria was something they had never imagined. Though, as rebel forces advanced toward Damascus in late 2024, they followed the unfolding events closely from abroad. Mohamad was attending a film festival in Jordan, while Ahmad remained in France. The distance only amplified their longing for home.
On the morning of December 8, Mohamad sent Ahmad a video depicting celebrations in a Damascus square, with people waving the revolution’s green flag and chanting slogans against Assad. Overwhelmed with emotion, a deep longing stirred within them. Soon after, Mohamad traveled from Jordan, and Ahmad followed from France. This spontaneous decision marked the beginning of their return.
It felt like a dream come true,
Mohamad said of their arrival in Syria. We felt like we could fly,it was surreal to walk through the streets and not see Assad’s photos everywhere.
Reconnecting and Rebuilding
even though their immediate family members had long as fled, many friends and relatives remained in Syria. Reuniting with them was an emotional experience. In the weeks following the country’s liberation, the brothers frequently found themselves standing in the streets of Damascus, struggling to grasp the reality of their return.
Persistent to contribute to their homeland’s cultural revival,the brothers embarked on a tour of Syria,performing “The Two Refugees” in cities from Aleppo in the north to Tartus on the coast. They were uncertain how audiences who had never experienced exile would respond to their story. This tour was not just a series of performances; it was a mission to reconnect with their people and share their experiences.
Everyone understood it,
Mohamad said. I get it now – as even though they never left, they felt trapped in their own country.
Two Homes, One Future
Despite their return to Syria, France remains a second home for the Malas brothers. Ahmad is married to a Syrian woman living in France, and both brothers have established lives there. However, they hope to spend more time in syria, contributing to the rebuilding of the country’s theater scene and restoring their old apartment in Damascus. Their future is now intertwined with both countries.
We now have two home countries – Syria and France,
said Ahmad.
From Underground Resistance to Global Stage: A Syrian artist’s Journey of Resilience and artistic Triumph
Did you know that the Syrian civil war,while silencing countless artists,also birthed powerful narratives of resistance and resilience,showcasing the enduring human spirit through creative expression? This is the story of the Malas brothers,whose journey from an underground Damascus theater to international acclaim offers profound insights into the power of art in the face of adversity. today, we speak with Dr. Elias Khalil, a leading expert in Middle Eastern Theatre and Cultural Studies at the university of Oxford, to delve deeper into their remarkable story.
World-Today-News.com Senior Editor: Dr. Khalil, the Malas brothers’ experience—their exile, artistic perseverance, and eventual return—is truly captivating. Can you contextualize their journey within the broader history of Syrian artistic production during conflict and its aftermath?
Dr. Khalil: The Malas brothers’ story is indeed remarkable.Their journey exemplifies not only the resilience of individual artists but also highlights the broader struggle of Syrian cultural production throughout periods of political upheaval. Prior to the conflict, Syrian artists faced meaningful censorship under the assad regime. Many found ways to express themselves subtly, through allegory or coded language, while others chose outright defiance. The Malas brothers’ underground theatre in their Damascus apartment perfectly embodies this defiance—a courageous act of artistic rebellion against state-imposed restrictions on free expression. Their exile, however, forced them to navigate a new set of challenges, highlighting the displacement and creative hurdles faced by countless Syrian artists who fled the conflict and sought refuge elsewhere. Their return to Syria represents a significant turning point, signifying the potential for cultural rebirth, reconciliation, and a reclaiming of artistic freedom within a still-fragile environment. Their story underscores the enduring spirit of Syrian artistic production, its capacity to adapt and endure through periods of immense political and social strife.
World-Today-News.com senior Editor: Their play, “The Two Refugees,” gained international recognition.how did their personal experiences inform the work,and what resonated so deeply with global audiences?
Dr. Khalil: “The Two Refugees” is more than just a play; it’s a powerful testament to the transforming power of art. Their personal experiences of displacement, exile, and the arduous journey of rebuilding their lives directly shaped the narrative’s potent emotional core. The themes of loss, alienation, hope, and the search for identity within a entirely altered existence resonate deeply on a global level. The play’s global appeal transcends cultural boundaries; it taps into the shared human experience of displacement, loss, and the ongoing quest for meaning and belonging. The use of theatrical techniques to portray the emotional complexities of refugee experience, such as employing powerful imagery, created a theatrical landscape which audiences across varied cultural backgrounds could easily connect with. The strength of the play lies within its ability to create empathetic connections through a personal narrative, highlighting how individual pain can be profoundly shared universally. The global success demonstrates that personal storytelling holds transformative power, generating intercultural dialogue and understanding.
World-Today-News.com Senior Editor: Their return to Syria after years of exile is significant. How might this homecoming impact the Syrian cultural landscape, especially considering ongoing reconstruction and the country’s political fragility?
Dr. Khalil: The Malas brothers’ return is arguably a monumental event for the Syrian cultural landscape. Their choice to bring their play “The Two Refugees” back to Syria is indeed a bold statement: an act of cultural reclamation, a symbolic resurgence of artistic freedom and hope. Their performances are more than entertainment; they’re potent catalysts for societal dialogue, fostering crucial conversations about national identity and reconciliation. By engaging with diverse Syrian communities through theatre, they actively contribute to the elaborate process of collective healing. Their return can spur a creative rejuvenation, but the challenges inherent to Syria’s multifaceted societal issues need to be acknowledged. The enduring political instability adds layers of complexity to post-conflict societal healing and thus the process of cultural revitalization still rests on precarious footing.However, their presence and contribution will undeniably shape the course of Syria’s cultural renaissance.
world-Today-News.com Senior Editor: What key lessons can artists facing political oppression and displacement globally,and those studying conflict’s impact on artistic expression,learn from the Malas brothers’ story?
Dr. Khalil: The Malas brothers’ journey provides several vital lessons:
The Indomitable Power of Art: Art transcends geographical boundaries and political ideologies; it’s a potent instrument for resistance, healing, and fostering social change.
Resilience and Perseverance: Overcoming adversity necessitates immense fortitude, unwavering dedication to one’s craft, and the determination to keep creating, irrespective of the circumstances.
Universality of Artistic Expression: Personal narratives, when skillfully crafted and presented, connect with global audiences, fostering empathy, understanding, and intercultural connections.
Art as a Bridge Builder: Art has the power to transcend divides and foster dialogue, facilitating reconciliation amidst conflict’s aftermath. the Malas brothers clearly exemplify how theatre itself can function as an extremely powerful agent of social reconciliation.
World-Today-News.com Senior Editor: Dr. Khalil, thank you for your insightful perspectives. the malas brothers’ story serves as a truly inspiring testament to the human spirit’s innate creativity,its remarkable resilience,and the profound power of art as a vehicle for hope and conversion in times of crisis.
Final Thought: The Malas brothers’ journey is an unusual narrative that speaks to the enduring strength of the human spirit and the pivotal role of artistic expression in navigating adversity. Their story resonates far beyond the Syrian context,offering lessons to artists and audiences worldwide about courage,resilience,and the capacity of art itself to heal and transform. We encourage you to share your thoughts and perspectives on this compelling tale in the comments below and join the conversation on social media, using #SyrianArt #Resilience #ArtisticTriumph and #CulturalHealing.