News reports today indicate the reopening of the National Museum in Damascus after extensive restoration and rehabilitation, including the installation of a new surveillance system and high-definition cameras to ensure the protection of artifacts and the safety of visitors.
The Syrian Future Movement views this step as confirmation that Syria, despite all the destruction, displacement, and suffering it has endured, is capable of rebuilding its cultural and civilizational institutions and reviving its historical identity.
The Syrian Future Movement emphasizes that the reopening of the museum sends a message to new generations that Syria’s heritage is not for sale, but rather belongs to the nation and must be preserved and protected.
The Syrian Future Movement considers the rehabilitation of the National Museum a strategic necessity for strengthening national identity at a time when the Syrian state is being reshaped after the war.
The Syrian Future Movement affirms that protecting antiquities and heritage must be an integral part of any reconstruction or rebuilding project, because historical symbols nurture belonging, protect society from marginalization, and restore the people’s self-confidence.
The Syrian Future Movement indicates that the recent closure of the museum was due to the theft and misappropriation of parts of our heritage (archaeological statues from the classical section). Therefore, we emphasize that the technical measures (cameras, alarms) must be accompanied by genuine administrative reform, strict accountability, and a true commitment to preserving our heritage to ensure that the thefts, smuggling, and neglect of our heritage are not repeated.
The Syrian Future Movement calls for transparent management of the museum, with the participation of archaeologists, intellectuals, and civil society. We also call for the launch of national awareness programs in schools and universities about the value of heritage and the importance of preserving it as part of Syria’s national identity. Furthermore, we urge linking the reopening of the museum to a comprehensive cultural plan: books, exhibitions, education, and academic research, so that the museum becomes a central hub for reviving national cultural awareness.
The Syrian Future Movement emphasizes the importance of working diligently to protect archaeological sites throughout Syria, not just in Damascus, as Syrian heritage is distributed across all governorates. We also reiterate our call to the international community and academic and cultural organizations to contribute to preservation and restoration efforts without subjecting the country to external pressures and exploitation, but rather through a partnership that safeguards identity and sovereignty.
The Syrian Future Movement views the reopening of the National Museum as a symbolic declaration of Syria’s desire to rebuild itself, its history, its identity, and its civilization after years of war. Furthermore, the Syrian Future Movement stresses that this step should be the foundation for a comprehensive national cultural vision that integrates the past with the future, giving the Syrian people hope that their heritage will not be forgotten and that Syria can rise again on a solid cultural base.
