The young Syrian director who started a new life in Bulgaria

[[MC]Ronin[MC]]

The young Syrian director who started a new life in Bulgaria

How Ricardo falls into our country and what motivates him to continue after the horror of war

 

 

 

 

A gray city in Syria. But this nuance is not synonymous with boredom, on the contrary. For Ricardo Ibrahim, this is the color that shows neutrality. It shows a society driven by a common conscience.

"It was like a dream. Very controversial and incompatible. It is as if someone has erased much of your memory. The whole childhood and teenage experience is gone. You start your life again at the age of 21. New society, new people, new rules, new language. "

Ricardo Ibrahim

Syria has become a real living wound. A live-action tragedy before the eyes of the world. A tragedy that some fail to escape. Others flee their country, bearing the painful memory of it. And over time, they learn to live with it.

"There are very few tall buildings in the city where I was born. Most are up to 3 floors and the old town is famous for its black stones and red roof tiles. A very nice contrast between black and red, ”recalls Ricardo, saying:“ Yes, the city was gray, but 30 km outside it started to get greener and more beautiful.

We spent all summer on the mountain, where we have a house next to the forest. These mountains are covered with snow up to two meters in winter. There is also a river where we used to gather to drink, sing and play music almost every night. "

Although in this paradise, life was not easy. And there were rules of survival: "Syria was like a socialist state. Very totalitarian. But people knew how to maneuver. Absolutely everything exists on this part of the Earth. What made the place nicer was the people. They are very different, but they are driven by a common conscience. "

In those years, he hardly imagined that he would have to start his life again. In those days, he longed for art, and more specifically, cinema. "I love art because it's an alternative way of asking questions and answering without words," Ricardo says. It was this love that led him to Lebanon, where he studied directing.

"In the beginning I went to Lebanon to study and then the war in Syria began. Who had a different opinion from the state propaganda was punished - used as a lesson to others. Crossing the border was a success, but getting back is very dangerous, "recalls Ricardo as he leaves home.

It came to Bulgaria 6 years ago. And it does not hide that the beginning was very difficult. "To find a job, or friends, or my environment. Surviving without language ... "are some of the challenges Ricardo faced at the beginning.

However, it gradually began to integrate. "Little by little, I began to see the similarities between Bulgaria and Syria, and I became calmer." Ricardo summarizes what makes the two countries close: "The new generation in both countries is much smarter than the old, ready to ask new questions and not accepts the packed truths. The new generation is learning without a teacher. "

Ricardo senses that he is coping when he finds a job and begins his Bulgarian language lessons. He is grateful to his Bulgarian language teacher, who has helped him a lot.

She finds inspiration in everyday situations: “When I am learning something new, or when I am playing. I love going to training with my team in ultra light frisbee. "

He wants to feel more stable so he can help the people around him.

One last look back

We return to the childhood of Ricardo, who had a life in which all the doors were open.

"I had a noisy childhood full of life and people around. The doors did not lock. There were always guests and almost every night there was an event. Singing, playing, movies, literature ... at home or with friends, "he remembers Homs.

They call the city "the capital of the Syrian revolution." Ricardo mentions an interesting fact: “There are only 7 mosques and 7 churches in my neighborhood. St. Mchk. Julian Emeski, near the church where Our Lady left her belt, "the young director tells us.

 He adds bitterness that although there are so many symbols of faith in the place, nothing has saved them from falling bombs.

But all this is behind him. Today, he is making his first steps in directing. He tells us, "Happiness in me is not about place. The difficulties are related to the place. But as long as I can still keep up with the pace that suits me, then I'm happy. "