Doha: Cultural Village Foundation (Katara) inaugurated the Syrian Corner in the vicinity of the Golden Masjid, featuring a model of the 'Minaret of the Bride' inspired by the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, designed by visual artist Zaina Abara.
According to Qatar News Agency, the work embodies one of the most significant architectural symbols in Islamic history and Damascene memory. The Minaret of the Bride is the oldest minaret of the Umayyad Mosque and constitutes a spiritual and architectural symbol linked to the city's conscience for centuries. The model was executed in a contemporary artistic style that preserved the spirit of Damascene architecture and its decorations. The presence of jasmine stands out as a symbol of identity and nostalgia, giving the work an emotional dimension that expresses the relationship of Syrians with their history and aesthetic memory.
General Manager of Katara, Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, remarked that the opening of the Syrian Corner aligns with Katara's vision to enhance the presence of arts and cultural symbols in the public space of the Cultural Village. This initiative aims to make human heritage accessible to the public interactively, contributing to strengthening bridges of communication and cultural dialogue between peoples.
Dr. Bilal Turkiya, Charge d'Affaires at the Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic to the State of Qatar, emphasized that the artwork embodies a deeply rooted cultural and spiritual value in Syria's history. The Minaret of the Bride is not only an architectural landmark of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus but also a symbol of the oldest continuously inhabited capital. Damascus has carried a message of intellectual and cultural radiance impacting capitals worldwide. He added that the presence of this model in Katara represents a cultural bridge connecting Damascus and Doha, allowing the public to learn about the depth of Syrian heritage and its authentic aesthetics. He expressed gratitude to Katara for embracing this work that embodies the memory of a people and the identity of a city.
Visual artist Zaina Abara noted that the Minaret of the Bride is a historical, spiritual, and cultural symbol linked to Damascus for centuries. She expressed hope that the artwork would serve as a bridge between memory, nostalgia, and hope. The reinterpretation of the minaret in this artistic form aims to preserve its authenticity and keep it alive in the collective consciousness of future generations.
The sculpture represents an artistic restoration of the Umayyad Mosque's oldest minarets in Damascus, built in the Umayyad era and witnessing successive architectural touches throughout the ages. The work highlights the geometric and decorative details characteristic of Damascene architecture, with a contemporary treatment that enhances the symbolic dimension of the minaret as a cultural radiance.
Syrian visual artist Zaina Abara resides in Qatar and is a member of the Qatar Fine Arts Society. Her work focuses on documenting and reformulating the Arab visual identity in a contemporary aesthetic language. She has participated in local and international exhibitions and held a solo exhibition in Katara in 2018.