Consistent with Tishreen’s cultural projects, an in-depth mapping report was produced highlighting the talents, resources and possibilities that could be harnessed. This was with the view of contributing towards autonomous and independent artistic cultural expression in the Southern Triangle.

 

The objective of this report was to evaluate the different possibilities that exist in the Arab communities of the Southern Triangle. Therefore, it was formulated in order to assess the opportunities available to strengthen local cultural and artistic production. Here at Tishreen we believe that our responsibility towards the community should be expanded beyond just organizing and planning events. Thus with the contribution from all available partners,we aim to work towards the organizing and empowerment of local talents and creative initiatives in the cultural and artistic fields.

This is in efforts of establishing autonomous and independent local cultural production, in turn being the catalyst for the thriving of our cultural vibrancy as Arab communities, impacting society at large.

The information disclosed was accumulated through interviews with different stakeholders in the cultural sector. In addition, a pertinent analysis and summarization was formed of the data collected from the surveys circulated online.This was in turn supplemented by a broad mapping of the existing cultural and artistic facilitates in the southern triangle. Hence allowing the identification of key actors in the field, such as civil society organizations that work on promoting cultural expression and support various cadres in the area – all having worked on cultural enrichment.

Finally, the mapping was concerned with identifying the possibilities of resources, either in monetary, physical structures, or human resources, by municipalities for projects aimed at developing the autonomous creativity and independence of artistic expression in the future.

 

Our Findings and Conclusions Based On Data Collected, Summarized In the Following Points:

  • It is evident that there is at least one body (whether an official organization or group of activists (cadre)) which works/has worked on organizing cultural events in each of the cities mapped.
  • There is also an indication that there are yearly festivals in the three cities of Qalansuwa, Taibey and Tira, which attract large numbers and audiences.
  • Through meetings with local authorities and stakeholders we have discovered there are possibilities to raise funds and resources to support cultural events, including from governmental bodies, such as the ministry of culture and sports, and the national lottery (Mfal Hapais).
  • Evidence around the cultural events that have been conducted indicate that there is a sizable tendency to attend artistic events and enjoy cultural expression.
  • Our study identified a total of 66 artists including 13 in theater, 21 poets and writers and 19 musicians. We also learned that they do not work together in any coordinated way.  Furthermore, none has been able to reach audiences outside of the Southern Triangle.
  • The mapping revealed variation within the region regarding partnership between municipalities and civil society organizations in the planning and execution of cultural and artistic projects and events.  For example, in Tira partnership among municipality and civil bodies was significant and interconnected on the level of organizing.  In Taibeh, the municipality was willing to provide facilitates for certain activities.
  • There is a very strong willingness among cadres, artists and organizations alike to work in partnerships on a bigger cultural and artistic movement in the southern triangle.
  • By analyzing published advertisements for previous festivals and cultural and artistic events, we learned that the business sector is not supporting these programs – a situation we hope and believe could be changed.

 

We must however acknowledge that the possibilities of artistic and cultural production in the region may be hindered by various challenges, a point aptly pointed out by some of the participants in the interviews. Significantly, the majority of artists work individually, struggling to build partnerships and often waiting for a third party to organize, an issue we are keen to address. More so, many expressed the lack of sufficient resources mostly monetary. More importantly , there is a significant opposition from a segment of the community which refuses to work on developing the cultural scene, and stands to obstruct it from organizing successfully.

Tishreens work has expand exponentially in the last three years to include the Southern Triangle as its area of influence, beyond the geographic borders of Taibeh. This has significantly reflected in the growth of the organization internally, by including new activist’s and activities.  In addition to Tishreen, there are a number of significant actors in the field of cultural enrichment, both groups and organizations, namely Al Intima w Al atta and Al Moltaka Al thakafi in Tira, and Al Intima W ala Amal along with Al Asfahani in Qalansuwa.

Noteworthy is that the mapping was conducted professionally by the “strategies for social change” organization, in cooperation with Tishreen’s staff and the Directive Committee (all members included).

In regards to the findings of the mapping, Majd Nassarallah, Director of Tishreen noted that: “The movement for cultural enrichment has developed remarkably in the region, however it is still confined to cultural and artistic “consumption”. We have felt the growing appetite for cultural events and activities by the communities in Southern Triangle, which is based on the level of attendants and participation in cultural and artistic events in the very recent past.” Nassarallah added that, “ It is clear to us from our work in the field that the artistic and cultural scene lacks organization in its differing fields,” therefore implying, “That artistic and cultural production has been limited to individual contributions here and there, for poets and writers, and are usually outlived due to the lack of stakeholders that are ready to support such initiatives.”   However, we have witnessed in the past years a numerous initiative’s for artists and creative individuals in the files of arts and culture in the Southern Triangle region, particularly in the fields of theatre, cinema, and graphic arts.” Nassarallah also indicated, “Some of these works have been featured regionally, nationally, and even globally, this proves to us that there is a treasure of talent in our region, and thus it’s our imperative responsibility to facilitate and contribute to its evolution, in order to transpose from a place of consumption  to a space of individual, independent, organized and autonomous local artistic production.”