The Prominent Syriac Syrian Actor Iskandar Aziz Qulanj : An Artistic Journey and Creative Giving in His Mother Tongue
Prepared by : Milad Korkis
Project Owner : Memora 360 - English
In the Syrian city of Qamishli, the heart of northeastern Syria where history meets culture figures were born who left their marks on society, art, and culture. Among these figures stands the great artist Iskandar Aziz Qulanj, a son of the ancient Syriac community, who carried the heritage of his mother tongue, the Syriac language, and reflected it in his diverse artistic works—on the theater stage, in cinema, television, and radio. He infused every role he performed with linguistic and cultural depth drawn from his identity, making his artistic career a living testimony to the meeting of art and authentic Syriac identity.
Iskandar Aziz Qulanj was born on January 11, 1937, in the city of Qamishli, into a Syriac family deeply rooted in the heritage of the region. His parents were keen to preserve their mother tongue, and from early childhood he learned to speak Syriac fluently, making the language an essential part of his identity. This strong bond with heritage and language formed the foundation of his artistic path. At the age of ten, he began practicing acting when he and a group of friends established a form of traveling theater in a Qamishli neighborhood, presenting performances inspired by the local environment and Syriac traditions. This gave him early practical experience in performance, improvisation, and artistic direction.
During the 1950s, Iskandar moved to Damascus to further develop his artistic career, where he worked with leading Syrian artists such as Salim Hanna and Hamdi Ibrahim. This period was decisive in refining his theatrical skills, and his artistic personality began to take shape through the integration of practical experience with his mother tongue and Syriac heritage. This combination distinguished him as an artist with a rare ability to present works of deep cultural character.
In 1964, he became a member of the National Theatre in Damascus, where he participated in approximately fifty diverse theatrical productions, including international classics and local works. He was keen to incorporate a Syriac touch into some dialogues and scenes. This phase was foundational in his career, deepening his understanding of theatrical performance and reinforcing his awareness of language as a vital tool for cultural communication and identity.
He joined the Artists’ Syndicate in 1968, marking the beginning of a long journey of creativity and excellence while maintaining a strong connection to his Syriac identity. His activity extended across theater, television, cinema, and radio, with the Syriac language maintaining a distinctive presence. Among his most notable cinematic works is the film Darbo Dḥobo (The Path of Love), which was filmed in Germany and Turkey. In this work, he skillfully blended the Syriac language with the language of the audience, affirming that art can carry cultural identity beyond borders.
Iskandar Aziz took part in prominent theatrical productions such as The Noisy House, Tartuffe, The Taming of the Shrew, King Lear, The King Is the King, The Visit of the Old Lady, and Hammam Shams al-Nahar. He excelled in roles requiring deep understanding of character, while preserving the richness of his mother tongue in selected dialogues and scenes, affirming the Syriac language’s ability to convey refined and distinctive artistic expression. He also directed and authored theatrical works such as A Story of Love and Betrayal, The Theft of the Egg, The Barrier, The Scout Camp, Antar, The False Masters, A Wedding Party, and Les Misérables (by Victor Hugo). At times, he incorporated Syriac texts or dialogues to highlight heritage and identity, giving his works a unique cultural and linguistic dimension.
His experience extended to cinema, where he participated in important films such as The Path of Love, Wanted: One Man in the Syrian Mardin dialect, The Journey, and Naji al-Ali. By adding Syriac language elements to some of these works, he enhanced their cultural and linguistic value, establishing himself as a complete artist who reflects his roots and heritage. Critics praised his performances, noting his ability to convey characters’ emotions with sincerity while preserving his cultural identity.
He also contributed significantly to television, performing notable roles in series such as The Volcano, A Knight Without a Horse, The Convicted, The Black Thorn, Issam and Rasha, Dhi Qar, House of Prestige, The Short-Distance Train, The Knocker (in collaboration with Egypt), The Nativity Film, The Candle and the Pin, The Magic of the East, Glimpses from Our History, Falcon of Quraysh, The Whale, Spotlight 9, Bab al-Hara 9, and The Naji Attallah Group. At times, he introduced a Syriac presence into his roles, ensuring the language remained present in modern art while preserving his deep-rooted heritage.
His work also extended to radio, where he presented weekly radio dramas for farmers, workers, and children, as well as programs such as The Drama of the Twentieth Century, Historical Figures, The Weekly Play, Astonishing Phenomena, Rulings of Justice, and the series Yayyeesh, We Have Triumphed. He also participated in dubbing projects, including the series Stalin for Syrian television, serving as an example of the comprehensive artist who combines acting, directing, and vocal creativity.
Iskandar Aziz has left a clear imprint on the Syrian and Arab artistic scene not only through his talent and roles, but through his commitment to his Syriac identity and his transmission of the mother tongue to a wide audience, highlighting the power of art in preserving cultural and linguistic heritage. One of his colleagues at the National Theatre said of him: “Iskandar is not merely an actor; he is a true cultural reference who preserves his language and gives it an artistic dimension that many cannot reach.”
A Personal Message from Me to the Artist Iskandar Aziz:
My esteemed teacher Iskandar, you are a model of the artist who carried his mother tongue and cultural identity to the stage, cinema, and television, proving that art does not lose its authenticity no matter how wide its horizons become. I thank you for every moment of your giving and for keeping the Syriac heritage alive in your works. I wish you lasting health and continued creativity, and that your artistic and intellectual legacy remains a beacon for future generations.
The artistic life of Iskandar Aziz Qulanj is not merely a sequence of works, but a testimony to the power of art to connect identity with culture and creativity a model for all who seek to carry their language and culture to the world through art. His many achievements will remain a source of pride for generations to come, and his imprint will endure in the history of Syrian, Arab, and Syriac art.
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