Photography between Syria and the GDR

In April 1986, the Verband Bildender Künstler der DDR arranged for an exhibition titled Künstlerische Fotografie aus der DDR to be presented in the Syrian capital Damascus. Photographer Harald Kirschner (born 1944) was able to oversee the exhibition set-up together with his colleague, graphic artist Jochen Fiedler. During the twelve-day trip, he had the opportunity to travel through Syria and document scenes of public life. Upon his return, Kirschner displayed the black-and-white images he created there at the Kunstmuseum Neubrandenburg. A year later, he traveled to Damascus a second time in order to exhibit his photographs from the series Syrien 1986 at the GDR Embassy.

In the interview, Kirschner talks about the circumstances of his trip and gives insights into the photo series.

Syrien 1986 was last exhibited in 2017 at Literaturhaus Leipzig. More images from his photo series can be viewed on Harald Kirschner's website: http://www.harald-kirschner.de/