National Pavilion of Syria announces artists for the 61st International Art Exhibition
La Biennale di Venezia 2026
May 09 – November 22, 2026

Sara Shamma will represent Syria at the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, running from 09 May to 22 November 2026. Curated by Yuko Hasegawa, The Tower Tomb of Palmyra will be presented at the National Pavilion of Syria, commissioned by the Ministry of Culture. The pavilion marks a new chapter in the country’s international cultural engagement following the Syrian War (2011–2024). This year’s presentation marks a shift in format from earlier editions of the Syrian Pavilion, which have typically presented a group of Syrian artists alongside invited international artists. It foregrounds a single Syrian artist, reaffirming the country’s presence within the global contemporary art landscape.

Combining painting, architecture, light, sound, and scent, the exhibition will explore Syria’s cultural heritage and Palmyra’s diverse histories, while advocating for the restitution of antiquities looted during the Syrian War. It will feature a large-scale immersive installation inspired by the ancient funerary towers of Palmyra, which once stood as a crossroads of Greco-Roman, Aramaic, and Arab cultures, where communities of different religions and backgrounds coexisted in harmony, tolerance, and mutual respect.

Built between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD, the tower tombs were monumental family mausoleums rising high above the desert landscape. All were destroyed during the war, with hundreds of funerary portraits looted and sold abroad, transforming the towers into enduring symbols of cultural loss.

Sara Shamma said: “Through The Tower Tomb of Palmyra, I aim to honour Syria’s cultural heritage and the resilience of its people. Palmyra’s towers, though destroyed, continue to speak to the strength and diversity of our history. This exhibition is not only a reflection on loss, but a message of hope, unity, and the importance of protecting and restoring our shared heritage.”

Yuko Hasegawa said: “Sara Shamma’s work transcends national narratives, using Palmyra’s history to explore universal ideas of memory, loss, and cultural resilience. The exhibition invites audiences to experience these themes through an immersive artistic experience, and positions Syria firmly within global contemporary art discourse.”

more. www.yukohasegawa.jp