Syria. 5 MINUTES BEFORE THE WAR

Photographic material is a multifaceted and subtle entity. A single set of images can form the foundation for various narratives, from gastronomic tales and landmark collections to portrait galleries, ornaments, or simple city sketches. While the temptation to showcase "everything at once" exists, there's a risk of creating a photographic mishmash that dilutes the intended message. Nevertheless, I am determined to explore each facet, presenting the vibrant, if somewhat unsettling, beauty of two cities, Aleppo and Damascus, that were once alive and peaceful.

In January 2011, I embarked on a brief and unplanned journey to Syria, spanning just five days. As an independent traveler, my focus was on seeking new experiences and relishing the winter charm of the East.

Merely two months later, after I left Syria, the simmering conflict would erupt into a full-blown civil war, shattering a significant portion of the country, claiming countless lives, and robbing humanity of a priceless cultural heritage cultivated over millennia. Initially, my travel mementos remained tucked away, unnoticed, until sporadic news updates about the Syrian conflict jogged memories of my time in a once relatively tranquil Syria.

A few years later, as I revisited my photographs, the familiar landscapes had undergone drastic transformations post-bombardments, prompting me to realize that some images were more than mere snapshots of cityscapes and passers-by. They had evolved into historical documents, bearing witness to the dramatic changes and destruction, particularly in Aleppo, where numerous architectural monuments had suffered irreparable damage or were wiped off the Earth's map.

The history of the Syrian military conflict is foggy much like many modern controversies. Relying on a single source, no matter its authority, poses challenges. My intention isn't to pass judgment on the conflict's participants; I leave that to the annals of history. Instead, I extend an invitation to acquaint oneself with a Syria forever changed.

ALEPPO. 5 minutes before the war. PArt 1.