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Al-Nator and the Syndicate: Promises to Restore Democracy and Creative Freedom for Syrian Artists
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The proposed reforms for the Artists' Syndicate represent an important step toward rebuilding Syria’s cultural institutions, free from previous politicization and security exploitation
The new head of the Syrian Artists’ Syndicate, Mazen Al-Nator, emphasized on Tuesday that the syndicate had been completely inactive due to the circumstances the country had been through. He pointed out that it had operated more like a "branch of the intelligence service" under the previous regime, where artists were subjected to pressure and used to improve the regime’s image.
In statements to "Al-Arabiya FM," Al-Nator highlighted that the main priorities for reform include addressing the financial dues for retirees, activating health insurance, and reviewing the internal laws and the syndicate’s constitution for comprehensive reform. He stressed the need to restore the ethical standards of membership in the syndicate, free from political polarization and security directives.
He also mentioned that in the past, the syndicate held artists accountable for expressing opposing views, and was managed by figures he described as "thugs." He emphasized that the public should be the entity to hold artists accountable for their stances, not the syndicate.
Al-Nator expressed optimism about the new system, noting that there are no signs of restricting creative freedom. He sees the possibility of a positive shift in Syrian drama and art, with greater freedom to address past events.
He added that he was appointed for a transitional period to manage the syndicate’s affairs, until the conditions are right for holding fair elections to restore democracy and elect the representatives of the artists, contributing to the rebuilding of the artistic institution on professional grounds, free from previous security interference.
