The story of Beit Jabri (Family's house) A City of Many Mansions: JABRI'S HOUSE – "BEIT JABRI" My grandfather, Mohamed Tallat son of Noaman Agha Jabri purchased this house from Mr. Darwish Afandi; whose were the father of the poet and writer, Shafik Jabri, poet of Al-Sham. My family lived in this house from 1905 until 1973. After that the women of the family (my paternal aunts) were obliged to leave the house as they couldn't maintain it because of their old age. Thus years passed by on this abandoned to forgetfulness house. Cracks started to appear in the walls and the house became a sad place under a lot of years and misfortunes. One day a man decided to exploit the deserted house which had become a big workshop of carpentry and smith craft and a storehouse of cereals. His many heirs could not agree on whether or how to restore and invest it. Unfortunately, I was still young then and had neither the solutions nor the possibilities to do anything to the wonderful house. Sorrow and pain were my share; I'm passionate about this house in which I've spent my childhood years still hanging on the bitter orange branches, windows and the climbing jasmine. My dream of reviving it has never left me since that time. I wanted to do something, to help this beautiful design and antiques which have dazzled all its beholders. Then sparked in me the idea of transferring it to a restaurant with revenues that could cover restoration work, in addition to allowing other people to enjoy it and feel its charm. I wanted it to be simple, a place which gives the guest the feeling that he/she is bin an old and oriental Damascene house and not in a restaurant. It was a long and difficult journey for this dream to come true! Heirs scattered all over the world, discussing and convincing, it was a hard task! On anyway, I started with the restoration work gradually and with the help of my friends in finance we went for the first step in the extra mile. My friends spread the word, people started talking about it and came in crowds to enjoy the fountain, the fresh scented breeze, in addition to me presenting traditional and delicious plates known to the Damascene well-loved kitchen. The neighbors in the quarter where the house is located were surprised at this new blood, strangers coming into the house in large numbers. So they filed a complaint to Damascus Governorate which took action by closing and sealing the house with red wax. Then it was closed time aftertime but my determination and faith helped me in keeping the house in a good and new look. Consequently, the neighbors and the governorate officers started to respond and even liked the house! This dream held other dreams within it. I opened one of the halls for contemporary Plastic Arts Exhibitions. I also gave it this cultural dimension and mission by holding seminars, poetical and classical music evenings. I am planning to start a bookshop for buying and selling used books especially Islamic Arab Intellectual Heritage books. I don't know how we are in need to these Damascene beautiful houses! And how these houses are in need for us! But what I know is that this house has given me motivation and enthusiasm to work, follow and accomplish a beautiful dream. It's my grandfather's after all. This house is yours,
Raed Jabri.
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