An Artist’s Tale

 

This is some heartily words about An Artist, a friend and most of all a Human, this is a statement about 

Issa Touma.

I met Issa Touma back at early 2008, he left such an impression that I registered into a photography course he tutored in His Gallery, by time, I had the chance to discover more about Issa and we became Friends more than being just tutor/Student.

I thought of writing this now only because NOW the real character of Issa Touma was clear in front of my eyes, as everybody know, Issa is a one daring character, back during 2008 when I met him he used to tell me stories of him getting annoyed and boycotted by the Government, he told this stories to me as well as many people who visited his Gallery Frequently, back then I was listening to him with kind of Coy manners, for I was shocked to hear that someone could be this daring and talk about such sensitive issues so casually, when we used to be alone I warned him to avoid this kind of conversations, for I didn’t want him to get arrested for his open mouth.

On Early 2011, Syrian Crisis started to RISE, I kept visiting Issa, and deep Inside I knew that for many people and Agencies he will be a hit, for he was the kind of person who will never shut up for what he believes is wrong and not righteous, but this time, he kept Silent, said no words, took a corner and watched the ongoing events. He received many calls and invitations for interviews, many of them took place when I was in the Gallery. But he said no word, he apologized very politely saying, that the vision about the reality wasn’t clear yet to talk about it. Later, and step by step he started to form an image about the true story of the street, but by then, he discovered that it is better to work instead of to talk to media, he created what is called the “Art Camping” with some of his friends and gathered a young network, me one of this member and encouraged them to direct their power to something brighter than WAR, he thought that Curing the patient is far more important than trying to awaken the dead. He worked Hard, many times we were in the gallery when the gun shots were heard, Issa calmed us down with his cool attitude and in a minute we started to mock ourselves and lough out loud for being extremely terrified.

Today Issa is still in Aleppo, the city that was known for its nice atmosphere, foods, gatherings, and is now the city of shelling, death, murder and Hunger. Issa refused to leave the town; he believed he had a better mission to accomplish while staying in Aleppo than leaving it. He knew he will watch the reality better with his mere eyes…  Issa lost his House; most of his friends are gone, he survived sniper shots several times. Yet STAYED because he BELIEVED that only with being close one can do good deed to the country and the people…

I thought of writing this because I never got the chance to express my feelings towards the REAL ISSA TOUMA, which I formed after I left town and watched his actions from out of the circle, I love you my friend, wish most of our Artists thought like you, wish I had thought like you, I am sure that we would had been in a better place living a better life.