Syria
The EXB news briefing: December 19, 2019
In the German papers this week: Berlin to Damascus flight announced, grave of infamous Nazi opened, anarcho-feminists storm Deutsches Theater, Berlin is losing its trees, Hells Santas give to the homeless, and more! Read more
The EXB news briefing: October 17, 2019
In the German papers this week: Berlin busted as a cocaine capital, terror attack preparations, BVG's questionable efficiency bid, puppy police, and more! Read more
The EXB news briefing: May 2, 2019
A weekly round-up of news stories that piqued our interest or made us scratch our heads. Read more
When food gets Syrious
Two restaurants promote integration and gourmet Levantine cuisine at the same time, with mixed results. Read more
The Syrians of Sonnenallee
Neukölln’s “Arab street” has become a destination for the Syrian community – and a potential goldmine for refugee entrepreneurs selling their countrymen a taste of home. But it isn't always easy being the new kids on the block. Read more
Syrious ambitions
The arty Syrian diaspora breaks new ground in Berlin with its own magazine, A Syrious Look. Read more
The new kids from Golzow: A Syrian fairytale in Brandenburg
Kids from Syria rescue a famous Ossi school, winning over locals' acceptance and affection deep in reputedly refugee-adverse Brandenburg. A Merkel refugee integration dream come true? Ruth Schneider drove up to Golzow and checked the reality of it. Read more
Struggling with German
INTERVIEW! Journalist and writer Rasha Abbas recounts her tribulations as a Syrian in Germany – from learning the language to falling in with Berlin hipsters – in "The Invention of German Grammar". Catch her at the E-Book Festival on Jun 25 at 20:00! Read more
Drawing war for peace: Hamid Sulaiman
INTERVIEW! Hamid Sulaiman might have fled his home in Syria, but he’s not done with the war and the revolution. You can see the original sheets from his graphic novel "Freedom Hospital" at Galerie Crone from Apr 9-Jun 18. Read more
Seymour Hersh: Forbidden information
INTERVIEW! In Berlin on the occasion of the Logan CIJ Symposium, the legendary US investigative journalist gave a piece of his mind on American lies about Syria, ignorant journalists and why he doesn't have many friends among the press corps. Read more
Konrad Werner: The worst war on terror ever
After the shock of Paris, it looked for about 10 seconds like the world was actually gonna fight ISIS. Ha! Fat chance. You might have forgotten that our leaders have important dick-swinging competitions to get on with. Read more
Syrnet social media editor Majid al-Bunni at work. Photo by Francesca Torricelli
Radio free Syria
From an office in Mitte, six Berliners are working tirelessly to support the opposition in Syria via a chain of 11 dissident radio stations. We followed them for a day on the air. Read more
Graphic Syria: An interview with Riad Sattouf
The cartoonist and filmmaker’s two autobiographical tomes “The Arab of the Future” I and II, chronicling his youth in Syria, were undeniable the hype at this year’s ILB Graphic Novel Day. Sattouf’s work is set to appear in English next month. Read more
A revolution of images: An interview with Ossama Mohammed
Exiled Syrian filmmaker Ossama Mohammed's "Silvered Water" is a love letter to both Syria and cinema. Read our interview and catch an rare screening on Mon, Sep 7 at 8:30pm as part of our Exiled Politics film fest. Read more
Three questions for... Omar Souleyman
In advance of this weekend's By The Lake fest, we caught up with the Syrian former wedding singer. He headlines the open air stage at Berlin Weißensee on August 29. Read more
Mossy Brackets: Sexting after Syria
It seems obvious that war zones and dating don't mix, right? Well, Miss Brackets still had to learn that the (kinda) hard way. Read more
A song for Syria
Germany made a highly publicised offer to take in 5000 refugees from Syria. But who are they? Milo is one Syrian refugee, who, while faced with better chances than most, used his opportunity here to raise awareness through song. Read more