IETM: From Damascus to Berlin and Vice Versa: Artistic Paths between Revolution, Diaspora, Challenges and New Beginnings

In the organizer's words:

From Damascus to Berlin and Vice Versa: Artistic Paths Between Revolution, Diaspora, Challenges and New Beginningsذهاب و إياب، من دمشق إلى برلين: مسارات فنية بين الثورة والمنفى، بين التحديات والبدايات الجديدة

This talk, hosted by the Tanween Collective, explores how Syrian artists—shaped by the Arab Spring and the Syrian revolution—navigate life and artistic expression between Berlin and Syria.It examines how exile, displacement and new beginnings have influenced their work and how, after the fall of the dictatorship and during the difficult transition that followed, they are contributing to Syria’s cultural renewal.The discussion also examines the realities of diversity in Germany’s arts sector, questioning how inclusive cultural structures truly are and highlighting the gap between diversity policies and the lived experiences of artists.

Panelists:Hazem Saleh – Syrian dramaturg and theater scholar exploring performance across borders.Kenda Hmeidan – Berlin-based actress who brings the Syrian exile experience to the stage and screen.Mey Seifan – Interdisciplinary choreographer and curator working at the intersection of performance, technology, and diversity.Wesam Krema – Musician and cultural manager connecting communities through music and education.

Following the panel, at the same venue, there will be a presentation of the VR short film and performance „How Am I Here?“ by Tanween Collective & slowfuture. This immersive work explores the dreams and nightmares Syrians experience about returning home. Blending technology and narrative, the piece offers an evocative look into the emotional terrain of longing, memory, and return.www.tanween.de [http://return.www.tanween.de]

Duration: 90 minTime: 15:00–16:30Date: 15.05.2025Venue: Grüner Salon, Volksbühne Berlin, Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz 2 10178 Berlin, Germanywww.tanween.de [http://Germanywww.tanween.de]

This talk is part of the official programme of the IETM Berlin Plenary Meeting 2025.To attend please register to IETM at https://www.ietm.org [https://www.ietm.org].

Panelist Biographies:

Mey Seifan: Choreographer, curator, and DEI expert, Mey Seifan is a pioneering figure in the Arab world’s dance and performance landscape. Her work explores social and political themes, focusing on dreams in crises, trauma, and the absurdities of daily life. She works across physical and digital performance, integrating technology into artistic expression. Her projects have been presented internationally. Educated in Damascus, Frankfurt, and Munich, she advocates for diversity in the German cultural sector and curates major events that foster accessibility and inclusion in the arts.

Kenda Hmeidan: studied acting at the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts (HIDA),Damascus – Syria, graduating in 2015. She performed in numerous plays across Syria and Lebanon before relocating to Germany during the civil war. From 2016 to 2024, she was a core member of the Exil Ensemble at Berlin’s Maxim Gorki Theater, working with renowned directors and contributing to productions such as Eine Zusammenfassung von allem, was war, based on the work of Syrian writer Rasha Abbas. In 2025, she starred in Burhan Qurbani’s feature film No Beast. So Fierce, which premiered at the 75th Berlinale.

Hazem Saleh: is a dramaturg and theater scholar with a degree from the High Institute of Dramatic Arts in Damascus (2011–2015). After working in Syrian theater, he moved to Germany in 2016. He has since contributed to various film projects as a language coach, casting director, and script supervisor, while also collaborating with dance and performance groups. Saleh has published critical essays on cinema and theater and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Critical Dance Studies at the Free University of Berlin.

Wesam Krema: a Berlin-based performer, musician, music educator, and cultural manager. Trained in piano and pedagogy at Al-Baath University in Homs, Syria, he has worked as an educator and performer since 2005. He is a founding member of ensembles such as Tawabel Trio, Syriab, Fatat Band, and the Babylon Orchestra. Since 2016, he has curated MikroHiejazz, a music and culture series at the Volksbühne Berlin. Krema also leads Crescendo at S27 – Art and Education, fostering intercultural youth engagement. His work connects performance, education, and community-based cultural development across Syria, Turkey, and Germany.