Showing rarely seen pictures from all over Syria, Diana will unveil the often surprising realities behind the headlines. The country’s multi-layered cultural heritage will be explored, and how ordinary Syrians are involved in its protection. She will also give glimpses into the complex three-year restoration process of the house, explaining how it is a microcosm of Syria, a living fragment of a UNESCO World Heritage site.


Arabic-speaker Diana Darke has specialised in the Middle East for over 30 years, living and working in a range of Arab countries. Along the way she authored 16 travel guides to the region, including Bradt’s Syria, Eastern Turkey and Oman. Her latest book My House in Damascus: An Inside View of the Syrian Crisis (2016) is now in its fully updated third edition.