Syrian Pavilion 2026: The Tower Tomb of Palmyra

Curated by Yuko Hasegawa, The Tower Tomb of Palmyra will be presented at the National Pavilion of Syria, commissioned by the Ministry of Culture. The pavilion marks a new chapter in the country’s international cultural engagement following the Syrian War.

Sara Shamma said: “Through The Tower Tomb of Palmyra , I aim to honour Syria’s cultural heritage and the resilience of its people. Palmyra’s towers, though destroyed, continue to speak to the strength and diversity of our history. This exhibition is not only a reflection on loss, but a message of hope, unity, and the importance of protecting and restoring our shared heritage.” This year’s presentation marks a shift in format from earlier editions of the Syrian Pavilion, which have typically presented a group of Syrian artists alongside invited international artists. It foregrounds a single Syrian artist, reaffirming the country’s presence within the global contemporary art landscape. Combining painting, architecture, light, sound, and scent, the exhibition will explore Syria’s cultural heritage and Palmyra’s diverse histories, while advocating for the restitution of antiquities looted during the Syrian War. It will feature a large-scale immersive installation inspired by the ancient funerary towers of Palmyra, which once stood as a crossroads of Greco-Roman, Aramaic, and Arab cultures, where communities of different religions and backgrounds coexisted in harmony, tolerance, and mutual respect.

What to expect:
Installation