As part of the Syrian Future Movement’s “Personalities Who Supported the Syrian Revolution” series, we are pleased to highlight the career of the creative Syrian artist Fares Al-Helou, who combined artistic excellence with a patriotic stance. He was one of the first artists to champion the voice of the people against tyranny, paying the price for his stance with dignity and steadfastness.
An Inspiring Artistic and Patriotic Biography:
- Fares Al-Helou was born on August 15, 1961, in the town of Mashta Al-Helou in Tartous Governorate.
- He graduated from the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts in Damascus in 1984 and joined the Syrian Artists Syndicate the same year.
- He is married to the artist Sulafa Owaishek, with whom he has two daughters: Noura and Marah.
- He has participated in dozens of dramatic, theatrical, and cinematic works, most notably: The End of a Brave Man, Five-Star Family, Dreams of Abu Al-Hana, The Curse of Clay, Takht Sharqi, The Earthquake, and Al-Hosrum Al-Shami.
- He won the Best Actor Award at the Valencia International Film Festival in 2007 for his film “Public Relations.”
- In 2006, he founded the Al-Bustan Workshop for Culture and Arts, an initiative to stimulate cultural activity and artistic tourism in Syria.
An Honorable Stance in the Syrian Revolution:
- In March 2011, he declared his explicit support for the Syrian revolution and participated in peaceful demonstrations, including the Intellectuals’ Demonstration in July 2011.
- He faced direct harassment and threats from the Syrian regime, forcing him to leave the country for France, where he was granted political asylum.
- In 2014, the Damascus Court of Appeals issued a warrant to confiscate his assets as punishment for his political positions.
- In 2017, he founded the “Najoon” Network, an organization dedicated to the issue of detainees who survived Syrian regime prisons and focused on combating impunity.
- He has participated in several international productions, including the French series Le Bureau des Légendes and the documentary Comedy in the Tragedy of Syria, which documented his experience in exile.
The Movement’s Shield: Honoring Stance and Message:
We, in the Syrian Future Movement, and out of our belief in the role of honest, committed, and educated art in building awareness and confronting tyranny, announce the honoring of the Syrian artist Fares Helou by awarding him the Movement’s symbolic shield. This honor is in recognition of his bold stance, his contributions to supporting the Syrian revolution, and his sincere support for humanitarian values, freedom, and human rights.
Fares Helou has proven that true art does not remain neutral, but rather chooses the side of humanity and justice. He was and continues to be a free voice in the face of the military and tyranny, calling for a democratic, pluralistic Syria that preserves human dignity.
