"Mazen Al-Natour" from exile to the top .. a decision that changes the face of Syrian art.

In a dramatic shift reshaping the landscape of the artistic guild in Syria, the artist "Mazen Al-Natour" has been appointed as the head of Syrian artists, after years of exile and exclusion due to his political opposition to the previous regime. Al-Natour, a native of Daraa and one of the first artists to declare his support for the Syrian revolution in 2011, paid a high price for his stances, facing persecution, exclusion, and the loss of family members due to the oppressive regime's crackdown. His elder nephew, "Marhaf Al-Natour," was killed by a sniper while trying to save his friend's father, and his other 22-year-old nephew met the same fate, along with his uncle and 17 young men from his extended family, while his family of six siblings scattered across six different countries. Al-Natour's strong comeback was announced by Syrian television on the "X" platform, officially appointing him as the head of Syrian artists, stating: "#Breaking | Artist Mazen Al-Natour appointed head of Syrian artists #Syria_TV". Despite the tragedies he endured, Al-Natour delivered a speech reflecting his commitment to humanitarian principles, calling for a fair trial for former regime members accused of violations, emphasizing the need to treat them humanely, saying: "Be merciful to criminals, we will not be like the previous criminal." He did not hesitate to criticize some artists who changed their positions after the regime fell, affirming that "people's memories do not fade," urging them to apologize instead of trying to whitewash their image. Mazen Al-Natour's appointment to this position signifies not just a change in leadership, but a new phase for Syrian art, with this step seen as a recognition of the role of artists in building the new Syria and solidifying the values of freedom and dignity that Al-Natour has long advocated for.