Enab Baladi – Christina al-Shammas
The cultural and artistic reality in Syria has witnessed rapid transformations in recent years, as new features emerge that express a diversity of creative expression and changing audience priorities, which have become more inclined toward artistic forms that allow for interaction and critical thinking simultaneously.
Among these features, the art of stand-up comedy stands out as one of the new styles that has begun to find its place on the Syrian artistic scene, after being absent from platforms and theaters for years.
The beginnings of comedic performances started in cafes or independent cultural events, gradually attracting an audience eager for laughter and curious to discover this art form.
A late arrival
Stand-up comedy was not common in Syria until recently; comedy was mostly confined to traditional television works, which were often divided between slapstick humor or cautious social criticism, avoiding censorship during the previous regime.
Art critic Juan al-Malla told Enab Baladi that comedic performances in Syria are considered a new and emerging experiment, with the female element still absent. Despite this, these performances have managed to create interaction with the audience.
Al-Malla noted that it’s impossible to compare the experience of stand-up comedy in Syria with experiences in other Arab countries like Egypt and Lebanon, which are more advanced in the art of comedic performances.
Arab comedians have managed to establish their presence through their funny performances, becoming famous across the Arab world, which is still not achieved in the Syrian experience due to its newness and the small number of its pioneers, according to al-Malla.
Comedian Malke Mardinali, based in Damascus, spoke to Enab Baladi about his experience in stand-up comedy shows, which started as an individual experience in 2021, until he began working in 2022 with the Styria team to present comedic performances.
“Comedy is the space in which I could express myself,” said Mardinali, adding that despite the small number of comedians in Syria, which barely exceeds 30 people, they have managed to assert their presence through their shared aspirations.
Mardinali believes that one cannot compare the experience in Syria to other Arab countries, as each society has its own cultural character and unique experience in this art form.
Positive interaction
The Syrian community has long been accustomed to comedy in television dramas; however, it is now more open to new forms of entertainment.
The audience for stand-up comedy shows is not limited to just the youth; it includes different age groups. According to testimonies from attendees that Enab Baladi observed, some come out of curiosity, while others find in these shows a “relief” from the pressures of daily life.
Judy al-Zawahiri (29 years old), residing in Damascus, told Enab Baladi that she attended more than one comedy show, and the topics addressed were close to Syrian society and touched on its daily struggles in a humorous manner.
“I laughed from my heart for the first time in years. The comedian was talking about details we live with daily, like the weird comments in bread queues, and even jokes about the slogans of the previous regime,” said al-Zawahiri.
Touching reality
The topics addressed by Syrian comedians in their shows varied between criticizing service conditions, societal paradoxes, duality in daily behavior, in addition to allusions to the political reality, which are often passed on in a symbolic or implicit manner that avoids direct confrontation with red lines.
These shows did not neglect to refer to the experiences of displacement and alienation, and the impact of what has happened over the past 14 years on the details of daily life.
Nader Shaheen, a government employee in Damascus, attended a show in one of the theaters and told Enab Baladi that he was surprised by the boldness of the young man who stood on stage and talked about salaries, rising prices, and corrupt managers.
“I felt as if he was speaking on my behalf; I never expected to laugh this much, as all the topics reflected our sufferings,” Shaheen stated.
Comedian Malke Mardinali mentioned that their shows discuss all topics related to daily community life and touch upon the suffering experienced by Syrians in a humorous way.
Mardinali believed that comedy helps alleviate pain and view life from a different angle, as laughter is “our means to continue living despite difficulties.”
Limited boldness
Art critic Juan al-Malla clarified that the topics that provoke laughter from the audience the most are authority, religion, and politics.
Al-Malla added that comedic performances in Syria address societal and political topics, but religious issues remain sensitive and clearly unwelcome, unlike in Lebanon, where they are treated more naturally.
Thus, boldness in addressing taboos is present in some performances but is limited.
Comedian Mardinali talked about greater freedom in addressing some subjects after the regime’s fall, but there are still red lines that vary from one area to another and from one audience to another, so there should be an awareness of the existing sensitivities.
Comedian Rami al-Abed, who presents monthly shows in a café in Homs, said to Enab Baladi, “We joke about everything, even security services, and the audience interacts with us, but in every show, there’s a moment of silence when we approach the red lines, so we back off a little.”
He added that he still does not know the limits of freedom, but he discovers them show by show.
From the perspective of comedian Ahmad Salama, who lives in Latakia and performs at some independent events, comedy here is possible but limited.
Therefore, he cannot approach stories related to sensitive religious matters among the audience, and he sticks to daily topics and economic issues to make the audience laugh.
An act of resistance
Comedian Rami Salama believes that stand-up comedy in Syria has become more than just entertainment; it has become a cultural act resistant to fear and censorship and a confrontation with reality.
It is an independent art form that carries a message at its core: “As long as Syrians can laugh, they are still alive, and they still have hope for changing their reality.”
The art critic al-Malla clarified that support from authorities is important in the upcoming period, and if there is official support for criticizing the authority, it would be an indicator of a new openness to critique the political and social reality.
Malke Mardinali discussed the difficulties comedians face in their work, including a lack of support and funding, limited exposure to the Arab and global comedy scene, and the absence of fixed venues for holding shows regularly. Therefore, he hopes for more support for this art in the future.
“My message in every show is for people to enjoy their lives because life is too short to waste in anxiety, problems, and fear,” said Mardinali.
Stand-up comedy in Syria… Expanding margins and persistent taboos Enab Baladi.
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