About the foundation
Heritage survives when it is inhabited, reinterpreted and shared.
Why the zanzalakht?
The tree nobody plants.
The foundation takes its name from the Zanzalakht tree, a familiar yet overlooked presence in Damascus. Unlike the city’s celebrated jasmine and bitter orange, the Zanzalakht is rarely recognised for its beauty. Yet it survives drought, neglect and time, offering shade and renewal in difficult conditions. Its resilience has made it a quiet symbol of endurance and regeneration, qualities at the heart of the foundation’s mission.
This spirit defines Zanzalakht’s work. Heritage is understood as more than buildings: it lives in craftsmanship, artistic practice, music, storytelling and the spaces where communities gather.
Zanzalakht was born from the belief that rebuilding Syria is not only about reconstructing what has been lost, but about creating the cultural spaces in which future generations can imagine, create and belong.
Our objectives
Preserve, create, connect.
At the heart of Zanzalakht’s work is a simple belief: heritage remains meaningful only when it is lived.
Preserve
Restore and safeguard the architectural integrity of historic Damascene houses using traditional and environmentally responsible materials, while reviving endangered craftsmanship and the cultural knowledge embedded in Syria’s built heritage.
Create
Provide a permanent home for artistic production, research and cultural exchange through residencies, workshops, exhibitions, performances and interdisciplinary collaboration between heritage and contemporary practice.
Connect
Foster connections between local communities, artisans, cultural practitioners, young people and the Syrian diaspora through education, public programmes and partnerships, across generations and borders.
Why culture matters now
Culture grows back where people return.
Physical reconstruction alone cannot rebuild a society. Culture creates shared spaces where communities remember, imagine and rebuild together. In Syria, cultural heritage survived for centuries because it remained part of everyday life rather than being confined to museums.
Founders & board
A multidisciplinary board.
Founders, honorary members and volunteers bring together expertise in culture, law, civil society, technology and international development.