ALEPPO, Syria (North Press) – Iranian cultural and art companies based in Aleppo governorate, northern Syria, are currently shooting a video clip of a “national” Syrian song but according to Iranian production and style. The video clip is an attempt by Iran to boost its military, social and artistic influence over the Syria’s city of Aleppo.
“We now get to the stage of audio recording and filming the dances for the song ‘Jina Ya Souria (Syria, Here We Come). The song is Syria-Iran joint production with the cooperation of Mahad Media Foundation and Owj organization in addition to other Syrian youth bands,” Fathi Nizam, director of Mahad Media Foundation, said.
The Mahad Media Foundation was founded in Aleppo in 2018, under the umbrella of boosting culture. It first ran a workshop for how to produce documentary films in Aleppo.
Mahad Media Foundation, al-Sirat al-Thaqafi (Cultural Path), and al-Thaqalein Foundation (the Quran) are all centers affiliated with Owj Arts and Media Organization which runs social and cultural activities in several Syrian cities.
According to Nizam “the song is about how we consider Syria our second homeland that we protected and cared for. We will help in the reconstruction of Syria, otherwise we will be the losers”.
However, a source on condition anonymity told North Press that the song supports and promotes the Iranian presence in Syria. The song’s music and melodies cue the ‘chest-beating’ rituals which are uncommon for the Shia community in Syria.
Cultural penetration
Around 100 male and female dancers will perform the video clip under the supervision of Iranian producers, cameramen and technicians.
The film director Kourosh Zarei has visited Syria’s Aleppo twice within two years. He first went to Aleppo in September 2020 and produced the theatrical work ‘the Sun Rises from Aleppo’ with the participation of some Syrian stage actors.
The Iranian penetration inside Aleppo started in July 2012 when Iran supported the two towns of Nubl and Zahra’, the predominantly Twelver Shi’ism (Imamiyyah) northern cities.
Later, Iran’s military formations extended in the east neighborhoods in Aleppo when Aleppo Defenders Corps was formed in July 2017. The brigade works to infiltrate through the Syrian society, mostly targeting the young generation by luring them with money.
Aleppo Defenders Corps also plans for camping tours outside Aleppo, opens centers to teach Persian and instructions of Shia doctrine and do training courses for media professionals. Other branches affiliated with the corps operate art activities.
In mid-August 2019, Mahad Media Foundation set up a game platform in Saadallah al-Jabiri square in the heart of Aleppo to kick off the 10-day event ‘the Shining Nights’ (al-Layali al-Satea’a).
The event was also performed for five days in Syria’s eastern city of Deir ez-Zor in June 2019 with the participation of Mahad Media Foundation and Mhnna Cultural Foundation.
In late 2019, Mahad Media Foundation set up a celebration in front of Aleppo Citadel to celebrate the third anniversary of Aleppo liberation. Public associations and parties were invited, too.
The celebration included children dancers whom were trained in the art branches affiliated with Aleppo Defenders Corps across the city.
Moreover, in May 2020, the Iranian Consulate was opened in Aleppo which some considered a way to expand the Iranian presence in Aleppo and gain more control over it.
Attraction of the youth
In regard to the song, Samir al-Tawil, the actor who supervises the Syrian side said “The aim of shooting the clips at this time in front of the citadel is to let people interact with the music. Some clips include people’s interaction and participation in the dances with no former coordination, as planned”.
The song’s footages are supposed to feature the Syrian national flag through umbrellas painted with the same colors as the flag.
“All participants are ready to perform. Authorization has been obtained from the related parties regarding the shooting and gathering scenes,” Ahmad al-Saha’ar, the song’s financial supervisor said.
“60 females and 45 males students from the faculty of Fine Arts and other faculties are participating. Shooting cinematic videos will take place in other Aleppo neighborhoods as well like al-Bayadah and al-Almaji. The song’s budget has reached $45,000 so far although there is still lots to be done,” he added.
Wisam Abdurrahman, 22, a student in the faculty of Fine Arts, believes the participation of the youth and children in the video clip is very normal whatever the management affiliation is Syrian or Iranian given the Aleppo-based Syrian cultural directorate does not function its role.