Syrian filmmaker and photographer Ammar has lived in Tilburg since October 2015. He fled the war, and was forced to leave his family and to undertake a dangerous journey to the Netherlands. I am ‘borrowing’ Ammar this afternoon from the Human Library. He sits in front of me and shares his story.
With a gentle glance, Ammar answers my first question how are you doing today? He feels good, despite only a short night’s sleep because of concerns about relatives who still live in his hometown in Syria. In the course of our conversation, I get to know a young man who escaped a horrible war and was on the road for more than one year. From Syria he went to Lebanon and took a plane to Turkey. There he lived on the streets for a year, with no money. Ammar decided to take the boat to Greece, and travelled through Austria and Germany on foot, by train, and bus to the Netherlands. Despite these arduous experiences Ammar is nevertheless eager to share his happy memories about his family, and his new life here.
Ammar’s younger sister had been living with her husband in Saudi Arabia, and didn’t experience the outbreak of the war in Syria. He doesn’t need to worry about her safety. But his parents, grandmother and younger brother still live in Syria. They don’t have the money to flee (about 1500 euros per person). Earning such sums of money during wartime is impossible. Despite Ammar’s concerns about his family and the fact that he misses them, he does not sound bitter or discouraged. On the contrary, he enthusiastically recalls his uncle (the brother of his mother), who lives in the United Arab Emirates and works there as an engineer. During a visit to Syria in 2006, he gave his nephew a first camera and a second professional model in 2011. “When I opened the box and saw the stunning camera, I felt intensely happy!” says Ammar.
Landscapes were Ammar’s most popular photographic subjects, besides his university studies in geology and social gatherings on days off with the family. Talking about his 73-year-old maternal grandma puts him in an optimistic mood: “I had two mothers.” Ammar laughs, with love in his voice. Grandma’s house was within walking distance of the house where he was born. Daily, the family spent time in her place to enjoy her company and feel happy. Because everybody wanted to live permanently with Grandma, Ammar’s father decided to build a new house. “In 2011 it was finished and we moved in,” says Ammar. His expression changes: joy gives way to grief and sorrow. “Unfortunately we were not able to enjoy living there because when the new house was finished, the war broke out.” Besides that, at the same time, an airplane bomb destroyed half the home of his grandma.
A memory that brings back a smile on Ammar’s face, is of the Dutch football team. He is keen to talk about it. “Growing up, I was a fan of the national football team of the Netherlands. I still remember their names very well! Van Nistelrooy, Bergkamp, Stam. I watched TV during international competitions to encourage ‘my’ team.”
During the boat trip from Turkey to Greece, Ammar’s camera fell into the sea. Fortunately, he was able to borrow a camera to make a short film about his new hometown. “Because I am a Syrian refugee, I wanted to show Tilburg as I experience it, as thanks to the Dutch people in a magical city.” The film was exhibited at the Peerke Donders Museum in Tilburg. Ammar also has his own YouTube channel on which the film can be seen.
Ammar is full of optimism and plans to rebuild his life, despite his forced emigration. He will resume his studies in geology and continue with photography and film. His commitment and dedication will not cease. For example, he learned the language in Turkey within six months, in the hope that he could study there. But lack of money, and absence of shelter and counselling forced him to travel further in Europe.
Ammar is hopeful about his stay in the Netherlands. He experiences the country as welcoming and supportive. “People gave me shelter and I was able to borrow a movie camera!” He also loves the Dutch food, in particular ‘stamppot’ (a traditional dish made of mashed potatoes and vegetables). He is confident that he will succeed in taking up his studies. Above all, his wish is to contribute to Dutch society. Meanwhile, he apps daily with his grandmother, mother, father, sister and brother. He’s especially worried about his 22-year-old brother. “I’m afraid he’ll get killed if I don’t manage to get him away from Syria.” Ammar’s eyes look sad and worried. He carries his beloved family in his heart, and that weighs heavily.
Reflecting on reading this human book, I search in Google for the meaning of the name Ammar. I am gratified to find that Google confirms what I have experienced in our conversation. I met someone with a strong character; someone who treats me with dignity and deserves respect and compassion. He should get a chance to participate in our society. People like Ammar broaden our perspective on living. They enrich us with the talents and knowledge they bring with them. Ammar, we have to search for a new camera!
@ Cora Westerink, Tilburg, 22 April 2016
This interview is written after a Human Library Event at Tilburg University:
https://www.tilburguniversity.edu/students/news/item-human-library-2016-english/
This interview is published in Dutch at Bibliotheek Midden Brabant Nieuwe Stijl: http://www.bibliotheeknieuwestijl.nl/mijn-fotocamera-is-in-zee-gevallen/
Ammar’s YouTube channel: The story of a great city: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hx7NN7jLYHU
