Episode 58: How will Syria’s cultural landscape transform?

This week’s episode of Culture Bites centres on Syria’s art scene at this delicate moment in the country’s history following the fall of president Bashar Al Assad. Hosts Enas Refaei, Farah Andrews and Maan Jalal discuss Syria’s rich cultural heritage that dates back centuries. They discuss the impact of the civil war on its creative talents and how it might shape the art they create in the aftermath of so much pain and suffering. A documentary about the Nabataean civilisation had its international debut at the Red Sea International Film Festival last week. Lost Worlds with Bettany Hughes: The Nabataeans explores the deserts of Petra in Jordan and AlUla in Saudi Arabia where the ancient civilisation flourished on trade between the fourth and second centuries BC. The hosts talk about the insights into the Nabataean way of life that can be drawn from deciphered rock inscriptions. With the holiday season in full swing, Enas, Farah and Maan turn their attention to this year’s slate of Christmas films. They review their favourites, including new ones such as That Christmas, an animation based on children’s books by writer-director Richard Curtis, and Our Little Secret, a holiday rom-com starring Lindsay Lohan. They also remember the classics such as The Holiday and Love Actually.