Read about Syrian Cassette Archives, a featured case study in our 2024-2025 Annual Report. 

Years of conflict in Syria has threatened the vibrant musical heritage found on cassette tapes in numerous private collections. Dated from the seventies onwards, these wide-ranging collections reflected the traditional and contemporary styles of Syria’s diverse communities which includes Arabs, Assyrians, Kurds, Armenians and Iraqis. 

This project which began in September 2023, aimed to safeguard this Syrian musical heritage as much of these tapes were in a poor condition and at risk of complete degradation. To empower local communities in future preservation efforts, Syrian Cassette Archives has consistently spotlighted the importance of keeping the physical archives in Syria - preserving Syrians’ emotional connection to the collections. 

Photograph of two men sat at a kiosk selling cassette tapes in Damascus
Cassette Kiosk - Damascus ©

Mark Gergis 

With support from the British Council’s Cultural Protection Fund, Syrian Cassette Archives' key achievements include:

  • A series of hands-on digitisation training workshops with the archive owners.
  • Over a thousand cassettes preserved.
  • 11 written articles published on Syria’s musical heritage.
  • Nine Syrian professionals trained in archival management.
  • Four events in the UK and Syria, including panel discussions, concerts, and an exhibition.
  • An updated SCA website with enriched visitor and researcher experiences. 

Discover more from our latest annual report.
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