Damascus: Copper artisans in the Syrian capital, Damascus, are transforming spent artillery shell casings, some dating back to World War II, into works of art, turning objects that once symbolized war and destruction into expressions of hope.

According to Anadolu Agency, copper engraving has long been an integral part of Damascus' cultural heritage. The craft flourished during the Mamluk and Ottoman periods and over the centuries became a hallmark in the city's historic bazaars, particularly the famed Hamidiye Souq. Enes al-Masri, a copper engraver, revealed that he learned the craft from his father at an early age and has been practicing copper engraving for around 25 years. His family previously operated a workshop in Hamidiye Souq before relocating to Bab al-Jabiya, one of the seven historic gates within the ancient walls of Damascus. In recent years, he has specialized in engraving old artillery shell casings, with each piece taking about a week to complete.

Al-Masri explained that working on artillery shell casings evokes mixed emotions. "I feel sadness when working on a shell casing because these were once used to kill children, women, and civilians and cause destruction. I try to turn them into works of art so that when people look at them, they can leave those painful memories behind," he said. He emphasized that the Syrian people stand for peace and coexistence rather than war and destruction, stating, "My message is peace. The people of Damascus, and the Syrian people wherever they are, love peace. We hope peace will prevail throughout the world."

Another copper craftsman, 58-year-old Basil Bakbo, who inherited the profession from his grandfather and father, shared that coppersmithing is one of Syria's oldest traditional crafts. He explained that the trade has evolved over the years beyond producing and selling traditional coffee pots, serving vessels, and braziers to include collecting, restoring, engraving, and reselling antiques. Bakbo stated that years of war and economic hardship forced many Syrians to sell household belongings, bringing numerous World War II-era shell casings as well as historical and antique objects into the hands of artisans.

Bakbo stressed that the artisans do not see these items as merely commercial products. "These are silent witnesses to the past. Every piece we are able to preserve is part of a cultural heritage that should be passed on to future generations," he said. His workshop also houses Ottoman-era copper artifacts, some of which are more than 250 years old. Bakbo emphasized that the goal is not to glorify war but to give its remnants a different meaning, stating, "We want to show that hope can emerge from pain."