Despite the ongoing war in Syria and our physical absence from the site, we worked hard to identify the means and conditions necessary to develop a plan that would ensure the sustainability of the Mozan Project and the surrounding area, even under such difficult circumstances. Although developing such a plan might have seemed impossible, we refused to abandon hope, holding firmly even to its smallest threads, convinced that the project would one day become a reality.
In 2012, our colleagues in Syria took up the work from where we had been forced to leave off. They organized several visits to Mozan and held meetings with local residents, particularly young people, both at our home and in the surrounding villages, to explain the idea behind the park and its objectives. They gave this initiative the beautiful name The Gates of Urkesh. During these gatherings, local women, both Arab and Kurdish, prepared meals, while the message was emphasized that, even amid the rapidly unfolding events that had overwhelmed the country, the park was meant to remain a beacon of light and hope, and that the project would certainly be implemented one day.
As part of this initiative, the owner of two houses located between the villages and the archaeological mound generously made them available to the local women free of charge. A sign bearing the name The Gates of Urkesh was proudly placed above their entrances. The rooms were carefully arranged to serve as exhibition spaces for the products being made and as a shop ready to welcome visitors. They were also decorated with photographs, much like a museum, and a commemorative plaque honoring those who had contributed to the initiative, particularly Mr. Hamdan Abd el-Razzaq al-Shellal, who generously allowed the group to use the atelier free of charge.
Despite the difficult circumstances, the women of Urkesh continued their work with remarkable energy and determination, producing a variety of handmade items, particularly dolls and textiles, under the name Urkesh Atelier of Handicrafts. It is worth noting that Urkesh, the ancient name of the archaeological site, is used here to refer to the broader project, which also encompasses the surrounding villages.
In 2017, the objects created by these women, arrived directly from Syria, were exhibited at the Christmas market set up in an institute in Domodossola.
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