The road to "Damascus 2008" was paved with questions about what "cultural capital" do we want? Is it that which belongs only to its people, to what is written in its districts and narrow lanes, and around its wall? And should the celebration reflect only the local culture? Should it celebrate only its achievements and not the other's?

The Administrative Committee for “Damascus Arab Capital of Culture” was formed by the President of the Republic in February 2007 (Decree No.1, 10.01.2007). 

The General Secretariat worked towards making 2008 an exceptional year for music especially music that had not been heard in Syria before.  In the process, work opportunities were created for a large number of Syrian musicians.  The music programme ensured that the

It was decided by the General Secretariat that a balance should be established between heritage and modernity when it came to exhibitions. The decision was also taken to focus the plastic arts exhibitions on historical phases rather than on individual artists and to delegate the

Through the conferences, meetings and workshops that the General Secretariat organized during 2008, Damascus became a space open to discussion and dialogue among thinkers and researchers from various spheres, disciplines and cultures.  A number of international

For the duration of 2008, Damascus was transformed into a vast theatre, and Damascenes were treated to a rich array of local and international performances. The aim of the programming was twofold: firstly to provide as many Syrian theatre directors as possible

In the field of cinema, the General Secretariat focused its efforts on supporting young artists by providing grants for the production of short feature films, documentary and animated films. A committee of prominent Syrian cinema professionals reviewed and chose cinema proje