The International Dialogue Centre based in Vienna (KAICIID) today launched a series of events to build awareness of the humanitarian crisis in Syria and the challenges facing refugees from the country. Under the title “Bridges”, the event series will feature artists, photographers, musicians and writers from Austria and Syria who will exhibit their work at the Centre’s premises in Vienna and discuss the impact of the migrant experience on their art.

The event series was inaugurated through a discussion on the role of art in healing the wounds of war and violence, and how art contributes to peacebuilding and dialogue.

Speaking at the inauguration, Faisal Bin Muaammar, KAICIID Secretary General said: “Art is a powerful means of cross-cultural dialogue. It can help us understand the thoughts, concerns, hopes and wishes of people from other cultures at one glance. It allows us to see the world through their eyes.”

KAICIID will display paintings by Syrian-born, Europe-based artists Adel Daooud, Bahram Hajou, Jeko Haj, Louloua Maleh and Marwa Sarah, as well as Austrian artist Fritz Kindl. It is a showcase of a wide spectrum of different influences visible in art, reflecting the different cultural backgrounds of the artists and their journeys.

An exhibition of their work will be open to the public at the Centre’s headquarters at Schottenring 21 until 10 October 2016, from Monday-Friday, 11:00-19:00.

On 23 September, the Centre will host a photography exhibition by Linda Zahra, a Syrian photographer based in Vienna, and a musical performance by Gilbert Yammine, of the National Higher Conservatory of Music in Beirut. Mr. Yammine is noted for his creative playing of the qanun, an ancient, hand-plucked, zither-like, stringed instrument popular across the Middle East, Maghreb, West Africa, Central Asia, and Southeastern regions of Europe.

On 29 September, author Luna Mousli will read from her book “A tear. A smile. My childhood in Damascus”, a moving portrait of the author’s childhood in a now-vanished Damascus.

Both events are open to the public, and members of the public are invited to register to attend the event by visiting the Centre’s website. (/rsvp-bridges-exhibition-events)

For more information on “Bridges” and featured artists, visit www.kaiciid.org/bridges