AL-AZRAQ, SYRIA – In the Al-Azraq camp in northern Syria, a brightly colored bus is bringing a semblance of normalcy and a renewed connection to culture for displaced Syrians, particularly children. Ten-year-classic Abeer Al-Qaddour, a resident of the camp for over five years, described the arrival of “The Cultural Bus” as a turning point, stating, “We used to feel that the tent was a symbol of our isolation. But, after the Cultural Bus visited our camp, we felt as though we were finally a part of the homeland again.”
Launched earlier this year by the Syrian Ministry of Culture, the initiative addresses a critical gap in access to cultural resources for communities impacted by years of conflict. The bus, equipped with a diverse collection of books, novels, and short stories for both children and adults, travels to rural areas and displacement camps where libraries are scarce. According to project manager Mohammad Murad, the bus aims to reconnect Syrian children with books and foster a passion for reading, although also introducing them to Syria’s cultural heritage.
The Al-Azraq camp, one of the largest Syrian refugee camps in Jordan, has faced significant challenges in providing adequate educational and cultural opportunities for its residents. The United Nations reported in March 2026 that efforts to provide reliable electricity to the camp are underway, aiming to improve living conditions and support essential services. However, access to cultural enrichment remains limited.
Murad emphasized the urgency of the project, noting that 14 years of war have resulted in widespread destruction of schools and the denial of education for an entire generation. “Throughout 14 years of war in Syria, schools were destroyed, and an entire generation of children was stripped of their right to education,” he said. “This is why the Cultural Bus is so committed to…fostering a passion for reading.”
The Cultural Bus initiative currently operates two buses – one specifically designed for children and another for adults – and has already reached 39 regions across Syria, including rural Damascus, Deir ez-Zor, Lattakia, Tartus, Baniyas, Quneitra, Aleppo, and Idlib. The buses host interactive sessions, including collaborative reading, writing, and drawing workshops, as well as traditional storytelling and cultural competitions, often in coordination with local NGOs and schools.
Salwa Al-Asaad, a project supervisor, highlighted the community-centric approach of the initiative. “Our goal is to deliver culture to every Syrian, wherever they are across all provinces,” she stated. In war-torn areas, the team organizes art therapy activities to help children process their experiences, while in cities with limited cultural outlets, they host poetry evenings and musical performances.
The need for such initiatives is underscored by the severe educational crisis in Syria. Prior to the current political transition, UNICEF estimated that over 7,000 schools had sustained damage or destruction, and many others were repurposed as shelters, leading to overcrowding. More than 2.4 million children are currently out of school, with another million at risk of dropping out, making cultural and educational initiatives like the Cultural Bus a critical lifeline.
Expansion plans are underway to launch additional buses and extend the reach of the program, despite logistical challenges and funding constraints. The initiative aims to establish culture as a universal right and rebuild Syrian society through knowledge and education.
