Culture

Brocade industry at risk due to Syrian war

Damascus (Syria), March 3 (EFE / EPA).- (Camera: Youssef Badawi) The ancient art of damask, the luxurious embroidery from the Syrian capital, is at risk due to the war that has been corroding the Arab country for a decade and that has forced many of its artisans to emigrate, making it difficult to obtain the main raw material, silk.FOOTAGE OF AHMED SHAKAKI'S BROCADE SHOP-WORKSHOP IN DAMASCUS.INTERVIEW WITH AHMED SHAKAKI AND WITH MOHAMED RANKOUSSI (IN ARABIC).- TRANSLATIONS (IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE):Ahmed Shakaki:1- Before, 40 years ago, more than 2,000 people worked in brocade, today it's just me and Mr Mohamed.2- We have asked the concerning authorities to help prevent this craft from disappearing.Mohamed Rankoussi:3- I am craftsman Mohamed Rankoussi and I work with damask. This occupation, contrary to usual, I did not learn from my father or my grandfather. I have studied this work for three years for the speciality of brocade. 4- Brocade is a fabric made with silk threads and with golden and silver colours which makes it look more beautiful and colourful.5-What makes the Damascus brocade special are its drawings and engravings that come from the Damascene tradition.6- When speaking of brocade around the world, you have the Chinese and the Indian, who work it incredibly, then you have the city of Lyon, in France, and the city of Damascus.