02/21/2017, From February 24 to March 2017, the Kulturwerkstatt Westend in Bremen is presenting Syrien vor dem Krieg (Syria before the War), an exhibition of pictures by Leica photographer K.H. Rothenberger.

The Leica photographer visited Syria twice in the 2000s, documenting life there before the outbreak of the civil war. Rothenberger experienced an outgoing country, where the Abrahamic religions lived side by side in peace, and where people dealt with each other with “respect and affection”. Syria’s historic cities were a testimony to a highly civilised culture, representing an important root for the Occident. In sensitive, black and white pictures taken with a Leica M7, the photographer tries to illustrate life as it was back then in a peaceful country.

Prof. Dr. Rothenberger (born 1945) studied Medicine in Munich and Zurich, and worked later as a Head Physician. He discovered a passion for photography already back in the sixties. Since then, he has presented his work in numerous exhibitions and publications, dealing, on the one hand, with technical and industrial motifs, and, on the other, with a focus on people.

Further information at: Kulturwerkstatt Westend and K.H. Rothenberger.

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  Rock tomb in Palmyra

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  Shrine to John the Baptist at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus

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  Citadel in Aleppo

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  Umayyad Mosque minaret in Damascus