Let me share a brief of history of my homeland, Syria , one of the oldest civilizations of the world, and why our work with artisans across the globe matters.

Damascus, is the oldest continuously inhabited capital in the world. Aleppo, equally ancient, is one of the historic Silk Road Trading cities and a UNESCO world heritage site. Both cities are known for their ancient Bazaars, where many colors, scents, sounds and textures compose a beautiful mosaic that capture all the senses.

Mark Twain the famous American writer, describes Damascus as “simply an oasis, that is what it is. For four thousand years its waters have not gone dry or its fertility failed. Now we can understand why the city has existed so long. It could not die. We shall remember Damascus, the ‘Pearl of the east,’ the pride of Syria, the fabled garden of Eden, the home of princess and genii of the Arabian Nights, the oldest metropolis on Earth, the one city in all the world that has kept its name and help its place and looked serenely in while the Kingdoms and Empires of four thousand years have risen to life, enjoyed their little season of pride and pomp, and then vanished and been forgotten. “
While today, Syria is no longer an “oasis” but true to Twain’s words, it also has not died. After nine years of war, causing great destruction to the industrial areas, agriculture as well as the infrastructure it still remains. Despite many factories, like the famous laurel soap companies moving their manufacturing to other countries, neighborhoods emptied and lively markets greatly damaged, with millions of people displaced. The city and its people still stand and are trying to rebuild.

But one of the greatest tragedies is the country’s traditional products and craftsman have been deeply impacted by the war. Many Syrian artisans migrated out of the country, or were injured and many perished in the war.

Sanctions have been imposed on Syria since the 90s. however in the past 10 years more strict sanctions have been imposed. Importing and exporting into Syria has dwindled and many raw materials needed to produce essential and non-essential products became scarce. The Syrian pound has significantly declined against the dollar, which has affected the purchasing power of citizens and led to many local businesses and stores shutting their doors. Consequently, many of the traditional products simply vanished.

Textile weaver working on the traditional wooden loom

At Mint and Laurel, our goal is to preserve the traditional products that are made in Syria and help the local artisans continue to provide to their families. We can help make this happen by connecting them to a market outside of Syria. Check out some of our products and learn about our artisan partners.

Mark Twain and Damascus, the 'Pearl of the East.'