Msheireb Museums, in partnership with the French Embassy in Qatar, will open a deeply personal photography exhibition titled DEPARTURES: A Journey Back into Syria on May 5. The showcase centers around the work of Syrian-French filmmaker and artist Anas Khalaf. His powerful images explore the emotional journey of memory and loss.
Curated by Bachir Mohamed, the exhibit features 73 photographs that document Khalaf’s return to his birthplace, Damascus. Each image captures the silence of the city’s streets and the unspoken resilience of its people. Khalaf’s journey also reflects a tribute to his late mother. The theme emotional journey of memory and loss flows through the entire narrative of the exhibition.
“In her absence, every part of Damascus whispered her name,” Khalaf shared. He explained how scenes from the old souqs, narrow windows, and faded courtyards reminded him of his mother’s strength and tenderness. The exhibit, he said, is both a story of personal grief and a broader reflection of Syria’s ongoing hardship and enduring spirit.
French Ambassador Jean-Baptiste Faivre praised the collaboration. “We are proud to support an exhibition that speaks to the resilience of those displaced,” he said. He added that Khalaf’s photographs offer a window into lives touched by conflict. They also reveal an emotional journey of memory and loss.
Abdulla Al Naama, General Manager of Msheireb Museums, highlighted the emotional depth of the exhibit. He emphasized its universal message about the strength of the human spirit.
The exhibition will remain open to the public until May 29 during regular museum hours. This lens speaks to both the beauty and heartbreak of a homeland left behind.
