Youth woodcarving forum at Damascus citadel

The national woodcarving forum for young artists, organized by the Directorate of Fine Arts and the Technical Institute for Applied Arts at Damascus Citadel, represents an avenue for young sculptors to express themselves and showcase their creations. The forum, which will continue until October 20th, is organized specifically for young sculptors and focuses on woodcarving. It was held at Damascus Citadel next to the Technical Institute for Applied Arts to create a state of artistic dialogue and exchange expertise. In a statement to SANA, Director of Fine Arts art the Ministry of Culture Aktham Abdelhamid said that the participants presented ideas to a panel of judges who selected ten participants for the forum. Abdelhamid expressed optimism in young sculptors' creativity and works, saying that what young artists lack is financial and moral support. Participants in the forum pointed out that this event allows them to meet each other and exchange expertise and techniques, noting that woodcarving is a complex medium because it's both versatile and difficult at the same time. They stressed the need for organizing similar events on regular basis, noting that for most of them the forum is a new experience that challenges them and develops their skills, in addition to allowing them to create large sculptors at no personal cost to them since all the raw materials and tools are provided by the forum. The sculptures which are being made at the forum feature a diverse range in style and technique, ranging from the symbolic to the abstract, with the works representing a myriad of ideas including national unity, Syria's strength, the spectrum of human emotions, the suffering of women, and love.