Syrian revolution memory keeper Tamer Turkmane honored in Damascus
Damascus, Dec. 11 (SANA) The Ministry of Culture honored researcher Tamer Turkmane on Wednesday during a ceremony at the National Library in Damascus, in recognition of his decade-long efforts to compile a comprehensive archive documenting the phases, events, sacrifices, and suffering of the Syrian revolution. The event was attended by cultural figures, media professionals, researchers, and members of the public.
In a panel discussion moderated by journalist Homam Habib, Turkmane outlined the development of the archive, which began as a personal initiative in 2014 and later grew into a nationwide project. He stated that the archive now includes over 3.5 million files, including 2.4 million video clips, 160,000 photographs, 650,000 articles and media reports, and thousands of books, documents, periodicals, and leaflets, with a particular focus on materials from regions most affected by the revolution.
Turkmane explained that his primary goal was to “preserve the truth from being lost” and to document the violations and crimes committed by the former regime against the Syrian people. He described the archive as a vital national memory resource and a crucial reference for researchers and public institutions.
He acknowledged the significant challenges faced during the documentation process, including data-storage limitations, security risks, and psychological pressures. Despite these obstacles, Turkmane emphasized that he worked independently with limited funding, relying on small donations to “maintain the archive’s independence.” He also turned down financial and political offers to acquire the archive, determined to prevent its misuse or exploitation outside of the national interest.
Looking to the future, Turkmane expressed his belief that the archive could play a key role in transitional justice processes, providing essential documented evidence of the violations committed against Syrians. He reaffirmed his readiness to collaborate fully with state institutions and specialized bodies to ensure the archive’s use in these efforts.
During the ceremony, Minister of Culture Mohammad Yassin al-Saleh highlighted the importance of restoring a unified national identity after years of marginalization. He stated that “honoring Turkmane is a tribute to all those who safeguarded the people’s voice and memory,” underscoring the need to unite efforts in this new phase, based on citizenship, belonging, and justice.
In response, Turkmane expressed that the recognition “represents an acknowledgment of all who gave their lives to document the Syrian truth.” He also voiced gratitude for the initiative, which he sees as a vital step toward supporting free documentation and acknowledging the work of media professionals who operated under extraordinary conditions.
Saed Hijazy, Director of the National Library, noted that the archive collected by Turkmani is “an essential component of the Syrian national archive.” He emphasized that the National Library, places great importance on documenting this pivotal period in Syria’s history.
The Ministry of Culture continues to implement initiatives aimed at documenting Syria’s tangible and intangible heritage. Wednesday’s ceremony is part of a broader national effort to preserve the history and memory of Syrians, while strengthening documentation initiatives that support knowledge, justice, and national identity.
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