A widely circulated image on social media showing remnants of damaged statues in the outdoor courtyard of the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Aleppo (northern Syria) has stirred heated debate.
The incident was accompanied by accusations directed at government entities of being behind the destruction.
Administrative measure
Youssef Khirfan, director of the media office at the University of Aleppo, told Enab Baladi that what happened in the courtyard “was not the destruction of existing works of art.”
He explained that the matter was related to the removal of old student projects that had been left outdoors for many years and deteriorated due to weather conditions.
“These materials were no longer suitable for display, so they were dealt with as part of the university’s regular maintenance and cleaning plan,” Khirfan said.
He categorically denied the claims or rumors that government bodies were responsible for destroying student works.
According to him, the action was not directed against art or students’ creations but was instead a routine administrative measure to keep the courtyards orderly and aesthetically maintained.
He stressed that no government authority had any role in destroying artistic works, adding that, on the contrary, the university and the faculty take great care to support and showcase student creativity.
As for whether the damaged works would be restored or rehabilitated, Khirfan explained that “valuable student projects are preserved, documented, and showcased in annual exhibitions.”
He added that projects deteriorating over time due to natural factors are carefully disposed of to maintain the faculty’s environment.
The faculty, he noted, has a clear policy of highlighting outstanding student work. The latest example was the closing scientific exhibition Harvest of the Faculty of Arts on September 11, where hundreds of creative works were displayed.
Khirfan underlined that the university’s and faculty’s mission is “clear” in honoring student projects, noting that the administration constantly seeks to provide a clean, organized environment that encourages creativity, with a strong emphasis on valuing and presenting artistic work.
The circulation of photos on September 29 reignited debate across social media platforms.
Accusations also spread that individuals with hardline ideological backgrounds might have been behind the incident, further fueling speculation over what really happened in the faculty courtyard.
Previous controversy
This is not the first time statues in Aleppo have sparked debate.
Previously, the Martyrs’ Monument in Saadallah al-Jabiri Square was damaged during dismantling as part of a rehabilitation project.
That incident drew widespread criticism and skepticism toward the official account, which claimed the statue was to be relocated and restored.
Video footage at the time showed the use of rudimentary equipment, which led to parts of the statue being broken.
Residents considered it a violation of standard technical procedures and an affront to symbolic landmarks embedded in the city’s memory.
A separate video also circulated of an unidentified man declaring, “This idol will be removed so that none is worshipped but God,” adding an ideological dimension to the controversy surrounding the statue’s removal.
Although that statement did not represent an official stance, it highlighted the possibility of ideological motivations influencing some attitudes toward statues in public spaces.
Aleppo, Syria: What really happened to the statues at the Faculty of Fine Arts? Enab Baladi.
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