Syria's post-Assad landscape is marked by a cultural flux that has left many businesses struggling to adapt. The collapse of the Assad regime has led to a re-evaluation of symbols and culture, as statues of Hafez al-Assad have been toppled and portraits of Bashar al-Assad's family are now scarce.
The shift has also affected the tourism industry, with old-regime merchandise being rapidly phased out in favor of new products showcasing the Syrian flag or revolutionary slogans. However, business is slow, with many tourists and travelers no longer visiting the country due to security concerns.
In Tartous, a coastal city, one entrepreneur, Abou Ali, had to dispose of his old stock of regime wares after the toppling of Assad's regime. His shop now sells new merchandise, but he expresses frustration over the lack of security and slow pace of change.
Meanwhile, Shadi Jarjour, owner of the Jarjour winery, is facing uncertainty due to a lack of clear laws regarding alcohol sales in Syria. Despite receiving assurances from authorities that his business would be allowed to continue, Jarjour remains anxious about the future, as he cannot sell wine without proper licensing.
The post-Assad era has also brought about a re-evaluation of cultural expression and texture, with some Syrians initially reverting to old habits, such as replacing portraits of Assad with images of Ahmad al-Sharaa. However, authorities have since banned such displays, leaving the boundaries of expression unclear.
Despite these challenges, Jarjour remains optimistic, hoping to expand his winery's market within Syria and eventually export globally. The future is uncertain, but Jarjour believes that new laws will soon be published, allowing him to return to work and establish a global brand representing his country.
The shift has also affected the tourism industry, with old-regime merchandise being rapidly phased out in favor of new products showcasing the Syrian flag or revolutionary slogans. However, business is slow, with many tourists and travelers no longer visiting the country due to security concerns.
In Tartous, a coastal city, one entrepreneur, Abou Ali, had to dispose of his old stock of regime wares after the toppling of Assad's regime. His shop now sells new merchandise, but he expresses frustration over the lack of security and slow pace of change.
Meanwhile, Shadi Jarjour, owner of the Jarjour winery, is facing uncertainty due to a lack of clear laws regarding alcohol sales in Syria. Despite receiving assurances from authorities that his business would be allowed to continue, Jarjour remains anxious about the future, as he cannot sell wine without proper licensing.
The post-Assad era has also brought about a re-evaluation of cultural expression and texture, with some Syrians initially reverting to old habits, such as replacing portraits of Assad with images of Ahmad al-Sharaa. However, authorities have since banned such displays, leaving the boundaries of expression unclear.
Despite these challenges, Jarjour remains optimistic, hoping to expand his winery's market within Syria and eventually export globally. The future is uncertain, but Jarjour believes that new laws will soon be published, allowing him to return to work and establish a global brand representing his country.
. I can imagine how tough it must be for business owners like Abou Ali and Shadi Jarjour, having to adapt to all these changes. It's not just about changing products, but also laws and cultural norms. But, you know, that's kinda the beauty of it - they're starting fresh! 
. And Shadi Jarjour, man, he's keeping his chin up, like he's gonna make it happen! 
... but like, what's really going on behind the scenes? 
I feel bad for these entrepreneurs trying to make a living in this uncertainty 
. Jarjour's winery is still hoping to get off the ground despite all the drama... fingers crossed they can figure it out soon 
But at the same time, I gotta give Shadi Jarjour points for staying optimistic... that's the DIY spirit right there 
I can imagine how tough it must be for Abou Ali to get rid of all those old stock... it's like starting from scratch again 
. Maybe his winery will be the key to Syria's economy taking off again 
! We just gotta hold on for a bit longer and trust that things will get better 
.
. Let's hope they're able to rebuild and move forward together 
!
It's like, slow down on the security concerns and let people visit, feel me? Abou Ali's shop is all about selling new merch, but it's still dead in the water because nobody's visiting. And Shadi Jarjour's winery is stuck in limbo because of licensing laws... come on, Syria! Get your act together already 
it's tough when you have a business built around something that's suddenly not in demand 
but at least he's adapting and moving on to new stock 
here's hoping those new laws come soon and he can start selling his wine with confidence 
. But you know what's even crazier? The uncertainty that comes with all this change 
. I mean, Jarjour's winery can't sell wine without proper licensing... how are they supposed to grow their business then? 
. And what about the tourists who aren't visiting because of security concerns? That's gotta be tough for the local economy 
. I guess only time will tell if things start moving forward slowly but surely 
. I mean, I get it, you want to distance yourself from the old regime, but it feels like everyone's still figuring things out. Abou Ali's shop should've been able to just adapt a bit better, ya know? But at least he's moving forward with new merchandise.
. I'm just glad that at least some entrepreneurs like Jarjour are pushing forward with their businesses, even if it's not always easy 
.