Once Upon a Time… Aleppo is a cultural exhibition exploring the city’s memory, heritage, and resilience through images, stories, and documentary materials.
What Is the Exhibition “Once Upon a Time… Aleppo”?
“Once Upon a Time… Aleppo 2022” is a cultural and documentary exhibition that explores the memory, heritage, and human identity of the city of Aleppo before, during, and after the Syrian war.
The exhibition aims to restore Aleppo’s image as a living historic city, going beyond narratives of destruction to highlight culture, daily life, and resilience.
Concept & Main Themes
Memory and Nostalgia: Recalling Aleppo as it was—its streets, markets, homes, and social life.
Architectural Heritage: Documenting the Old City, traditional houses, khans, mosques, and churches.
Human Stories: Personal narratives of Aleppans connected to place, loss, and belonging.
Destruction and Hope: A cultural reflection on what was lost and what can still be rebuilt.
Exhibition Content
- Historical and contemporary photographs
- Archival documents and visual materials
- Short films and video installations
- Written narratives and personal testimonies
- In some editions: digital or interactive elements
Cultural Significance
- Preserves Aleppo’s tangible and intangible heritage
- Challenges one-dimensional portrayals of the city
- Acts as a visual and narrative archive for future generations
- Relevant to travel journalism, heritage studies, urban memory, and post-conflict culture
Target Audience
- General public and cultural audiences
- Researchers, students, and academics
- Journalists, filmmakers, and storytellers
- Visitors interested in Middle Eastern history and heritage
- Cultural institutions and museums