History & Design:

This garden, the first to represent an Arab country, was dedicated in 2011, and it celebrates the rich history and culture of an ancient land. Desi

gned by architecture students at the University of Damascus, Raghda Hilal and Nagham Nano, the garden’s major elements include the Palmyra Triumph arch, a Damascene fountain, granite pillars surrounding the fountain, and a bust of the legendary 20th Century poet Nizar Qabbani. Qabbani visited Cleveland in 1994. He authored poems about Damascus, romance and Arabic empowerment. His bust was sculpted by Cleveland artist Leila Khoury and dedicated in 2016.

Syrian immigrants have been coming to Northeast Ohio since the beginning of the 20th Century. By the 1930s, there were more than 1,000 Syrian immigrants living in the Cleveland area. Many in the Syrian American community today are professionals in the fields of medicine and business and contribute significantly to the multicultural fabric of our region.

Statuary/Busts/Reliefs/Monuments:

The arch pays homage to the Triumph Arch of Palmyra, an architectural wonder in central Syria, built in the 3rd Century, when Palmyra was a prosperous center of commerce and culture.

The fountain is a common feature in old Syrian homes. It is surrounded by an eight-point star, a common Arabic design motif. The six black pedestals detail Syria’s storied history, from the beginnings of civilization to modern times.

Additional Information:

The Executive Committee of the Garden includes: Adnan Mourany,president , Jamil Dayeh, Layla Khouri, Wael Khoury, Project Chair: Wael Khoury, Co-Chair: Rima Azmeh Akhrass, Chief Engineer: Jamil Dayeh.
The Board: Naim Farhat, Rima Azmeh, Fadi Bashour, Tony George, Maan Fares, Ahmed Ascha, Basel Mousa, Marwan Hilal, Bassam Khawam, Lila Raslan.
Auxiliary Committee: Liliane Azem, Daad Bashour, Lina Bshara, Kinda Farhat, Randa Hilal, Sawssan Khoury, Alma Korkor, Mayssoun Shaar, Mayssoun Tajour.