“I started with the Damascus jasmine, one of the most important flowers in Syria, which is symbolic of purity and gentleness, but also strength, because it has endured the test of time and turbulence,” she says. Each ring in the collection is inspired by a poetic verse describing the beauty of Syria, as well as plants Barazi remembers from childhood visits to the country. Inspired by a line in one of Qabbani’s poems, “I am a ring jewelled by Damascus”, the self-taught Barazi designed a collection called Syria. I used art to inject back some humanity and beauty, where people can rediscover a different side to Syria.” “So I was inspired to remind the world of the forgotten glory of Syria, a beautiful country with gorgeous nature and cultured, intellectual people, with a long legacy in art and literature. “Everything that has anything to do with Syria these days is doom and gloom,” Barazi explains.
Three years ago, she created a studio in her home in Abu Dhabi, and started designing a collection of rings that referenced Syria’s floral heritage. These darker images of Syria inspired the Arab-American artist Heba Barazi, who’s of Syrian descent, to try to recapture the culture, art and beauty of the country by focusing on its gardens.įrom the famed jasmine to roses, hyacinths, Hibiscus syriacus (common hibiscus), Cedrus libani, tulips, carnations, cabbage flowers and numerous varieties of orchids, not to mention the sunflowers, gardenias, basil, thyme, mint and sabra, or prickly pear, Barazi selected the flowers and plants that most resonated with her.
Last year’s festival in September carried a more sombre tone, where alongside a bazaar and exhibitions, the flower was symbolically gifted to all the families grieving the loss of a loved one as a result of the continuing conflict in the country. The Syrian capital eventually acquired the aromatic title of Madinat Al Yasmine (City of Jasmine), and for the past decade, the country has held a special national festival in honour of this flower, to encourage citizens to grow this delicate bloom in their homes. T E Lawrence, best known as Lawrence of Arabia, remarked: “The silent gardens stood blurred green with river mist, in whose setting shimmered the city, beautiful as ever, like a pearl in the morning sun.” “Ringed by her orchards as a halo rings the moon,” wrote the traveller Ibn Jubayr of the city in the 12th century.
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