Abstract: War and conflict have left a lasting trace on Syrian cultural heritage, identity and memory, impacting both individuals and society at large. Several physical sites of remembrance have been destroyed, or in the case of the diaspora, are inaccessible. Under these circumstances, it is crucial to find alternate ways to ensure cultural continuity and reconstruct collective identity. With the rise of digital media, this study argues that visual online platforms can provide an answer to this, especially among the Syrian diaspora. Using a qualitative case study, this research focuses on Wanabqa, a youth-led Syrian collective that operates mainly on Instagram. After thematically analyzing a sample of Instagram posts published between 2025 and 2026, four recurring themes emerged: collective memory and remembrance, cultural heritage and continuity, representation, identity and inclusivity, and diasporic identity and cultural negotiation. Wanabqa presents an example of how Instagram functions as a participatory space for Syrians all over the world to document traditions, observe collective trauma, negotiate their identities and connect with one another. Wanabqa’s posts also illustrate how Instagram’s visual and textual features, such as reels and carousels, provide various ways to communicate meaning and draw attention to certain topics. Ultimately, this research explores how theories of cultural memory and identity can be put into practice through visual media platforms such as Instagram, especially in the aftermath of rupture.
Keywords: Cultural memory, Digital media, Identity reconstruction, Syrian collective identity
Miriam Nassrallah, Faculty of Communication, Master Student at Communication Studies. ARUCAD, Kyrenia, Cyprus, miriamnassrallah@gmail.com
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