Syria Pavilion Returns to Venice Biennale After Regime Collapse
After a two-year absence, the National Pavilion of Syria returns to the Venice Biennale Arte for the first time since the fall of the Assad regime. The pavilion, curated by artist Sara Shamma (born in Damascus, 1975), focuses on loss and cultural identity through the destruction of historical and artistic heritage. It is housed in the former refrigerated warehouses at Santa Marta, courtesy of the Università Iuav di Venezia, and runs until November 22, 2026. The pavilion marks a new chapter for Syria, with Shamma's work addressing themes of memory and erasure. Rector Albrecht Benno provided insights in an interview about the significance of this participation.
Key facts
- Syria Pavilion returns to Venice Biennale Arte in 2026 after absence since 2024.
- The pavilion is the first Syrian participation after the collapse of the regime.
- Artist Sara Shamma (Damascus, 1975) represents Syria.
- The pavilion is located at the former refrigerated warehouses at Santa Marta, Università Iuav di Venezia.
- The exhibition runs until November 22, 2026.
- The theme centers on loss, memory, and destruction of cultural heritage.
- Rector Albrecht Benno of Iuav was interviewed about the pavilion.
- The pavilion is organized by the National Pavilion of Syria.
Entities
Artists
- Sara Shamma
Institutions
- Università Iuav di Venezia
- Biennale Arte di Venezia
- National Pavilion of Syria
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Santa Marta
- Damascus
- Syria