Syria booksellers navigate freedom and struggle post-Assad, keeping hope alive through literature
Jan 29, 2025 #Damascus #Syria #Booksellers
In Damascus, booksellers reflect on the dramatic changes in Syria since the fall of the Assad regime
Jan 29, 2025 #Damascus #Syria #Booksellers
In Damascus, booksellers reflect on the dramatic changes in Syria since the fall of the Assad regime, which once tightly controlled and censored literature. Bookstores faced intense surveillance, with banned books often hidden or disguised to avoid detection. While the oppressive atmosphere has lifted, economic hardships from war and sanctions have forced many bookstores to close. Despite these challenges, booksellers continue to serve their communities, fostering a love for literature. The streets once lined with bookshops now bear the scars of economic struggle, but a new chapter of freedom has begun. For many, the joy of sharing books remains a vital connection to hope and resilience.
Al Jazeera’s Mohammed Jamjoom met some bookstore owners in a part of Damascus known for its intellectual heritage.
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