Project status:
Current
Lead organisation:
SCA Initiative (UK)
Grant award:
£91,585
Project summary:
Recorded in Syria between the 1960s and 2010s, cassettes featuring a wide range of Syrian music-related heritage are currently stored in three privately owned archives across the country.
Featuring raw folk recordings, live wedding concerts, studio albums, soloists, classical and children’s music, the footage represents decades of Syrian intangible heritage and reflects the lived experience of large numbers of Syrian people.
Years of conflict in Syria have left the footage at risk of loss due to degradation and neglect. As part of this project it will be documented, digitalised, recorded and safeguarded for future generations.
To build capacity and develop skills within local communities, training in digitalisation and collection documentation will also be provided. Audio and visual interviews with collectors, musicians and producers from Syria’s cassette era will be recorded and made available online.
