ISSUE EIGHT | TUG OF TIME

The clash between tradition and modernity has been an ongoing narrative in the Levant. A region proud of its ancient civilizations and historical legacies, the Levant holds onto a wide array of cultural, social, and even religious traditions. These traditions are deeply rooted in centuries- old customs, familial bonds, and cultural practices passed down through generations.

With the turning of ages, the region finds itself at the crossroads of modernity. Rapid urbanization, technological advancements, and globalization have seeped into Levantine society, challenging age-old norms.

This has created a push and pull between tradition and modernity, resulting in complex dynamics where some feel like the embrace of change is a necessity to progress, while others feel like the change is threatening the fabrics of society.

Taking a critical approach to both concepts of tradition and modernity, The Tug of Time reminisces on forgotten bonds between the different people in the region, embraces norms which fuse ancient customs with newly-forged ones, and reminds us that our region need not be taken away by modern musings of being “civilized people” when we come from a rich history rooted in the very foundations of civilization.

Editor-in-Chief

Michelle Eid

Michelle Eid
Editor-in-Chief

Behind the cover art with Hasan Belal, Syrian photographer

Barri al-Sharqi, a city in the countryside of Syria’s Hama, is known for its centuries-long tradition of breeding the finest and rarest horses. During the Syrian war, horse breeding was cast aside as the area came to be known as the “Triangle of Death,” due to the gruesome events it experienced under the presence of ISIS and other fighting factions.

After the war, Barri al-Sharqi slowly picked itself back up again, reviving its horse breeding traditions despite US sanctions, which made it hard for any horses to arrive to or from Syria. In this photo, Hasan Belal aims to document the relationship between horses and men. Men from the region as a whole and Barri al-Sharqi in specific are often tough in the traditional sense, shaped by the rugged geographic surroundings they are exposed to. Nevertheless, this aspect of them disappears when faced with their horses. Their horses see another softer and more affectionate side of them, and there’s a beauty in such a juxtaposition.

Cover Art Designed by Aseel El Hariri