Al Shamiya is one of the most televised locations in Syria, even if most don’t know it by name. The striped walls and arched doorways of the village served as a backdrop for some of the most popular series to come out of the country, including Bab Al Hara.
The village on the road to Damascus International Airport was built with Syria's television industry in mind and is what comes to mind when many think of a traditional Damascene setting.
Al Shamiya was also a popular tourist destination. People flocked to the village to see where some of their favourite television series were set. The area housed several restaurants, an amusement park and a museum. It also featured a miniature version of the famous Al-Azm Palace in Damascus. Sadly, little of that glory remains today.
In the relative stability following the toppling of former president Bashar Al Assad, people have returned to find that the village is a landscape of debris. It is a microcosm of the destruction that Syria and its culture endured over the past decade. New pictures released by EPA show how the site’s alleyways and structures were pummeled to rubble during the war, which began in 2011.
It remains to be seen whether Al Shamiya will be rebuilt in the future and whether Syria will reprise its prestigious position as a powerhouse of regional television. For now, we take a look at five series that were filmed at Al Shamiya.
Bab Al Hara
Bab Al Hara became an instant hit when it was first shown during Ramadan in 2006. The series was compelling for its kaleidoscopic family dramas as well as its depiction of 1920s Syria, showing the country’s yearning for independence from French colonial rule.
The first five seasons of Bab Al Hara were filmed in Al Shamiya. The series stopped between 2011 and 2014, and was then renewed for a sixth season, which was filmed in the Damascus countryside. The series released its 13th season in 2022.
Ahl Al Raya
Released in Ramadan 2008, Ahl Al Raya was another popular historical series that shed light on Damascene life and culture. The series revolves around a trader whose wife dies in childbirth just as he becomes embroiled in a series of rivalries at the souk.
It ran for two seasons and featured several notable Syrian stars, including Kosai Khouli, Caresse Bashar and Jamal Suleiman.
Al Daboor
Al Daboor is a gripping historical drama that began in Ramadan 2010. It unfolds as a man returns to his home neighbourhood 15 years after being expelled, determined to clear his name and reclaim his rightful possessions.
The first season of the series was well received. The second, released in 2011, became a sensation as many tuned in following Bab Al Hara’s cancellation, eager for a Syrian historical drama.
Al Zaeem
A social drama with a riveting power struggle at its core, Al Zaeem tells the story of the leader of a Syrian neighbourhood aiming to take over surrounding regions. The series, released in 2011, was one of the last performances by the legendary late Syrian actor Khaled Taja.
Al Khawali
Set in Ottoman-era Syria in the late 19th century, the series shares many of the traits with the others mentioned above, depicting nuances in Syrian society with a flair for the dramatic.
Al Khawali was important, particularly because it was released in 2000 and predates the surge in popularity of Syrian historical dramas. The series featured notable performances by several Syrian stars, including Abdul Rahman Al Rashi, Naji Jaber, Sabah Jazairi and Salim Kallas.
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Multitasking pays off for money goals
Tackling money goals one at a time cost financial literacy expert Barbara O'Neill at least $1 million.
That's how much Ms O'Neill, a distinguished professor at Rutgers University in the US, figures she lost by starting saving for retirement only after she had created an emergency fund, bought a car with cash and purchased a home.
"I tell students that eventually, 30 years later, I hit the million-dollar mark, but I could've had $2 million," Ms O'Neill says.
Too often, financial experts say, people want to attack their money goals one at a time: "As soon as I pay off my credit card debt, then I'll start saving for a home," or, "As soon as I pay off my student loan debt, then I'll start saving for retirement"."
People do not realise how costly the words "as soon as" can be. Paying off debt is a worthy goal, but it should not come at the expense of other goals, particularly saving for retirement. The sooner money is contributed, the longer it can benefit from compounded returns. Compounded returns are when your investment gains earn their own gains, which can dramatically increase your balances over time.
"By putting off saving for the future, you are really inhibiting yourself from benefiting from that wonderful magic," says Kimberly Zimmerman Rand , an accredited financial counsellor and principal at Dragonfly Financial Solutions in Boston. "If you can start saving today ... you are going to have a lot more five years from now than if you decide to pay off debt for three years and start saving in year four."
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Keep it fun and engaging
Stuart Ritchie, director of wealth advice at AES International, says children cannot learn something overnight, so it helps to have a fun routine that keeps them engaged and interested.
“I explain to my daughter that the money I draw from an ATM or the money on my bank card doesn’t just magically appear – it’s money I have earned from my job. I show her how this works by giving her little chores around the house so she can earn pocket money,” says Mr Ritchie.
His daughter is allowed to spend half of her pocket money, while the other half goes into a bank account. When this money hits a certain milestone, Mr Ritchie rewards his daughter with a small lump sum.
He also recommends books that teach the importance of money management for children, such as The Squirrel Manifesto by Ric Edelman and Jean Edelman.
