“The Conscience of the Syrian Revolution”: Creativity in the Search for Freedom in the Banners of Kafranbel (2011-2018)

This paper examines the revolutionary storytelling and communication process of Kafranbel, a town in northern Syria celebrated as “the conscience of the Syrian revolution”. Known for its impactful banners, the town’s production spanned from 2011 to 2018 and featured images of people holding banners with written messages, drawings, and caricatures. These banners were regularly shared on social media, reflecting a nuanced and evolving creative process. This study employs a descriptive and qualitative research methodology to analyze a dataset of images (n = 214) compiled and organized chronologically. Additionally, insights from nine semi-structured interviews conducted in Spanish, English, and Arabic are included in the analysis. These interviews involved residents, witnesses, and experts who have closely followed the uprising, providing a comprehensive understanding of Kafranbel’s communicative efforts. The findings highlight how Kafranbel’s banners emerged and consolidated as a response to both the Syrian regime’s crackdown and the threat increasingly posed by extremist groups, including the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The town’s storytelling employed human-centered and persuasive elements, such as the portrayal of children and references to global struggles and icons, to engage both local and international audiences. Patterns in the banners reveal a shift in tone and language choices as the conflict intensified and the town became more desperate for help. The absence of banners during periods of intense bombing underscores the harsh realities faced by the town’s residents, which culminated in the town’s silence following its recapture by the Syrian regime and the assassination of journalist Raed Fares by ISIS-affiliated gunmen. This study fills a significant gap in existing research, offering a detailed analysis of Kafranbel’s unique communication strategy within the broader narrative of the Syrian uprising.