Cultural Heritage Students Take on the Challenge of Rebuilding the Aleppo Souk

"One of the great things about Cultural Heritage Studies," explains first-year student Camilo Montoya, "is that its scope is so large you get to look at everything." That is exactly what Montoya is doing as he explores how best to rebuild the Aleppo Souk, Al-Madina. Although his background is in art history, Montoya has always been interested in contemporary issues. He says that one of the reasons he decided to enroll in the Aleppo Project course was that it gave him a chance to work on a current issue. "Because of my art history background, I have often focused on the past in my work. I enjoy that, but I'm finding this opportunity really wonderful too." Sanijela Stulic, who is a second-year Cultural Heritage student, says she too is enjoying the chance to contribute to something that is "happening right now."

They are also enthusiastic about some of the insights and skills they are learning during the course – including a completely different way of writing. "Policy writing is different," says Stulic, "and not something I have done before. It is a skill though that I am happy to learn."

Al-Madina has always played an important role in Aleppo. "Before the current armed conflict, the market place was much more than just a market – it represented a sphere of social exchange and diverse citizen interaction," Montoya says. "For centuries," explains Stulic, "it was a trading hub for the whole region."

Montoya notes that Al-Madina was surrounded by different ethnically affiliated churches, mosques, and other architectural structures. "The market was a place to buy and sell things. It was also where people came to worship, share a meal, and meet friends," he says. Montoya was surprised to learn that this public space "where Aleppines and tourists, from different sects, ethnic groupings, and classes engaged in economic activity and shared space," was controlled by a Sunni-dominated network of owners. "In many ways, it was not nearly as diverse and open as it appeared," he says.

A market – any market – is only successful if it is dynamic. "People need to be there. So, the timing of any rebuilding effort is critical," says Montoya. "If you rebuild the physical structure too soon – before the people are ready to return – the souk will die. But you can't wait too long either," he says.

Deciding how to rebuild is also a challenge. Do you try to recreate what was there before – or do you take advantage of the opportunity to build something "better?" As Stulic notes, there have been numerous changes in the Aleppo Souk dating back to the fourteenth century. "If you look at recent pictures of the souk, you see air conditioning units, electrical wires, and tiled floors. This is obviously not the way the souk has always looked," she points out. "It has constantly been changing."

Stulic is also exploring whether and how the reconstruction process could be used to support efforts for reconciliation. "I am interested in defining the measures that should be taken prior to reconstruction, and identifying who should be involved in the process," she says. She points out that the old city of Aleppo, including its souk, was placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986. "There have been many people – both Syrians and others affiliated with international groups - involved in Aleppo for a long time, so there is a lot of "know how" out there," she says.

Montoya and Stulic agree that rebuilding the Aleppo Souk will be difficult. They agree also that it should be done.