DAMASCUS: In a workshop filled with the scent of walnut wood and the sound of hand tools, Syrian craftsman Firas Salka carefully shapes what will eventually become a Damascus oud, one of the Arab world’s most iconic musical instruments.
Over several months, each piece of wood is carved, assembled and polished by hand before it is ready to produce the rich, resonant sound that has defined the instrument for centuries.
More than just a musical instrument, the Damascus oud is regarded as one of Syria’s most enduring traditional crafts. Combining woodworking, decorative arts and musical heritage, it has become both a cultural symbol and an exported item sought by musicians across the Arab world and beyond.
Salka, a master craftsman specializing in musical instruments, said the oud represented both tangible and intangible cultural heritage because it combined traditional craftsmanship with musical performance.
He said Syrian oud-making evolved significantly over the past century, earning an international reputation for quality and craftsmanship.
