Twelve years ago, Dr. Youssef Kanjou fled with his family from the civil war in Syria. Until 2013, the anthropologist was director of the National Museum in Aleppo. Now, the tuenews INTERNATIONAL team member in Tübingen is able to visit his homeland again for the first time. Before his departure, Bernhard Kirschner spoke with him about his plans and feelings.
tuenews: How does it feel to see your home country again after twelve years?
Youssef: My feelings are indescribable. Above all, I feel great joy and happiness, but at the same time a deep sense of longing. I have been waiting and dreaming about this moment for many years.
After twelve years in voluntary exile, I can now return to Syria. It feels like I’m being reborn! Joy is mixed with fear and uncertainty, as if I were entering a completely new world.
Sometimes I can hardly believe that I am actually returning to Syria – after I had already lost hope long ago… Every time I think about finally reaching my home country and seeing my family, my friends and my home again, my heart beats faster.
How difficult was it to prepare for the trip?
It was very difficult. Even just finding the right flight was not easy. There are still no direct flights to Damascus. Furthermore, tickets for other possible connections are very expensive. In the end, I found a flight to Beirut. From Beirut to Aleppo, I can then take a taxi. But that was also very difficult until I found someone who was going to Aleppo.
I also had to think carefully about what I could take with me. Gifts for my family, colleagues and friends. It wasn’t easy to find out what they could use.
And I also had to prepare for my work there. What material could I take with me to create a joint program? I’m having a meeting with my colleagues at the museum. All of this took a lot of time.
And was it not a problem to get the necessary papers and documents for entry?
I hope that there will be no problems with entry. Because I have a German passport. I was naturalized a year ago. Without a German passport, this trip would not be possible.
Let’s hope that everything works out. What plans do you have in Aleppo?
First of all, I will visit my family, my mother, my sister and my relatives. Then I will go to my colleagues at the museum to discuss what we can do. What kind of help do they need, what kind of material is necessary. Then I also want to visit the old town of Aleppo and see how much of the old bazaar, the old mosque, the castle, the archaeological sites has been destroyed. I would like to take pictures of that.
And what exactly do you want to do in the museum?
I’ll be in the museum for two days. It’s not in a good condition, a lot has been destroyed. The building is still standing, but there are no exhibits in the museum. All the windows are broken. And that’s why I’m talking to my colleagues about what help is needed. From Germany, for example. We need expertise, material for reconstruction, so a lot of money, from the government, from institutions, private individuals.
And what about the finds and treasures that were on display?
They are still there, but they are not in good condition. The colleagues couldn’t do anything during the war. There is a lot of water in the museum, everything is wet in the basement. And that’s not good for the finds.
And your colleagues stayed in Aleppo?
No, they couldn’t stay in Aleppo. They were nearby, but they couldn’t enter the museum. For them, too, this is the first time they’ve been able to come back. It’s a great joy to see them again after twelve years.
How safe is the situation in Aleppo, especially for you, is it dangerous?
The security situation in Aleppo is not good. Especially at night. During the day, there are no problems. But at night there is no electricity and there is not enough police. It is not safe. That’s why I will only do everything during the day. It’s not actually dangerous, but I have to be careful. Besides, I’m always with others.
Do you also go to other places?
I also have to go to Damascus because the Syrian Department of Archaeology is located there. I want to discuss what can be done for the museum and the old city of Aleppo. Because the department there decides what of our plans will be implemented or not. It’s about the future. I meet many colleagues from the past, old acquaintances.
What is your greatest wish?
My greatest wish is to be able to help people. That after discussions with colleagues, I can bring new projects from Germany to Syria, so that the museum and the old city can be rebuilt. And of course, that everyone stays healthy and safe.
Thank you very much Youssef for the interview. Have a good trip and good luck.
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