Syria selects Sara Shamma and Yuko Hasegawa for 2026 Venice Biennale pavilion focusing on Palmyra heritage

For the 2026 Venice Biennale national pavilion, Syria has designated Sara Shamma as its representative artist and Yuko Hasegawa as the curator. The exhibition, named 'The Tower Tomb of Palmyra,' will showcase ancient funerary towers from Palmyra and is scheduled to run from May 9 to November 22, 2026, at the Cotonificio campus of the Università Iuav di Venezia. This initiative marks Syria's revitalized cultural engagement following the Syrian Civil War in 2024. Shamma, who returned to Damascus in late 2024, delves into themes of loss and humanity in her art. Hasegawa, an accomplished research professor at Kyoto University, has garnered several awards. The exhibition seeks to promote Syria's cultural legacy and advocate for the return of stolen antiquities.