By Fadi al-Hussein
MANBIJ, Syria (North Press) – Cultural figures in the city of Manbij, northern Syria, believe that the residents are able to get rid of Islamic State (ISIS) thoughts, after its expulsion, and that cultural centers have an important role in that matter.
“Culture in Manbij suffered from challenges during the control of ISIS, which excluded all its forms and fought it”, Ahmad al-Youssef, Co-chair of the Union of Intellectuals affiliated with the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) in Manbij, said.
“Culture in the city went through a stage of recovery and openness, as there was an openness to other cultures, freedom of expression and cohesion among Kurdish, Turkmen and Circassian cultures”, he adds.
August 15 marks the seventh anniversary of the expulsion of ISIS from Manbij. In 2016, battles broke out at the time between Manbij Military Council forces and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), supported by US-led Global Coalition, on one hand, and ISIS on the other hand.
“Before that, residents in Manbij did not know the details of the cultures of other components, despite coexistence and cohesion, but that happened after liberation”, al-Youssef told North Press.
Many cultural institutions were established by the AANES for this purpose, such as the Culture Committee and its affiliated directorates, and the Union of Intellectuals, which took upon itself to unite intellectuals from Manbij, regardless of their opinions and work to develop awareness and spread it in society.
“What they worked on in the cultural field was within their available capabilities, and they still work to achieve more important matters that change the cultural features and add value that generations inherit”, al-Youssef said.
Kamal Khallo, one of the intellectuals in Manbij and a member of the Union of Intellectuals in Manbij, told North Press that he and a group of intellectuals formed the union after the city liberation. They were able to collect books and establish a central library in the city.
ISIS fought culture during its control over large areas of Syria, and accused intellectuals with several charges, whose punishment reaches retribution. Therefore, many intellectuals, especially artists and musicians, refrained from their field. Some of them left Syria.
“Groups interested in art and literature were formed in the city, and worked to hold cultural and literary seminars regarding poetry, story and theater,” Khallo added.
In Manbij there are diverse cultures, due to the presence of several components in the city including Arabs, Kurds, Turkmans and Circassians who have coexisted since ancient times and have close social relations.
“Some residents after the liberation of the city feared revenge, but most residents of the city proved that they are able to fight ISIS ideology”, Muhammad Warkel, one of Manbij’s intellectuals said.
ISIS burned libraries at the beginning of its control over cities. It also destroyed many archaeological monuments.
Residents in Manbij are preparing to celebrate the seventh anniversary for ISIS expulsion from their city. They describe the period of ISIS presence as “dark days”.
At the same time, the culture in Manbij still suffers from lack of support and those interested in it as a result of harsh living conditions facing all Syrians, as well as intellectuals immigration who flee conflict.