Katara Cultural Village inaugurated Tuesday the Syrian Corner in the vicinity of the Golden Masjid, with the opening of a model of the 'Minaret of the Bride' inspired by the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, designed by the visual artist Zaina Abara.The work embodies one of the most important architectural symbols in Islamic history and Damascene memory, as the Minaret of the Bride is the oldest minaret of the Umayyad Mosque, and constitutes a spiritual and architectural symbol that has been linked to the city's conscience for centuries.The model was executed in a contemporary artistic style that preserved the spirit of Damascene architecture and its decorations, while the presence of jasmine stands out as a symbol of identity and nostalgia, giving the work an emotional dimension that expresses the relationship of Syrians with their history and aesthetic memory.In his remarks, General Manager of Katara Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti said that the opening of the Syrian corner falls within Katara's vision to enhance the presence of arts and cultural symbols in the public space of the Cultural Village, and to make human heritage available to the public in an interactive way, which contributes to strengthening bridges of communication and cultural dialogue between peoples.Charge d'Affaires at the Syrian embassy in Doha Dr. Bilal Turkiya emphasised that the artwork embodies a deeply rooted cultural and spiritual value in the history of Syria, as the Minaret of the Bride is not only an architectural landmark that the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus boasts of, but also a symbol of the oldest continuously inhabited capital that has carried throughout its history a message of intellectual and cultural radiance whose impact has extended from Damascus to the capitals of the world.He added that the presence of this model in Katara represents a cultural bridge connecting Damascus and Doha, and allows the public to learn about the depth of Syrian heritage and its authentic aesthetics, expressing his gratitude to Katara for embracing this work that embodies the memory of a people and the identity of a city.In turn, artist Abara said that the Minaret of the Bride is a historical, spiritual, and cultural symbol linked to the city of Damascus for centuries, expressing her hope that the artwork will serve as a bridge between memory, nostalgia, and hope. She noted that reinterpreting the minaret in this artistic form aims to preserve its authenticity and keep it alive in the collective consciousness of future generations.The sculpture represents an artistic restoration of the oldest minarets of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, which were built in the Umayyad era and then witnessed successive architectural touches throughout the ages. The work is based on highlighting the geometric and decorative details that characterize the Damascene architecture, with a contemporary treatment that enhances the symbolic dimension of the minaret as a cultural radiance.Abara, who resides in Qatar, is a member of the Qatar Fine Arts Society. Her work focuses on documenting and reformulating the Arab visual identity in a contemporary aesthetic language. She has participated in local and international exhibitions and held a solo exhibition in Katara in 2018.
November 12, 2025 | 11:39 PM