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Photographer: Agob Jacoub
When Syria is mentioned in Europe, the conversation often revolves around war, migration, and geopolitics. Far less attention is given to the everyday lives, traditions, and memories that existed long before the conflict and continue to shape how Syrians relate to their homeland today.
This became clear during a series of conversations with Helin and Feriel, the Syrian artisans behind Østerland’s new collection of handmade keychains.
As we began developing the collection together in Istanbul, we asked them a simple question:
Which symbols remind you of home?
Their answer was immediate.
Not famous landmarks. Not national symbols.
Instead, they chose the Awassi sheep, grapes, lemons, and the Damascus rose.
"Back in our village, we were surrounded by sheep, vineyards, lemon groves, and rose gardens. They were part of everyday life."
For Helin and Feriel, these were not design choices. They were memories.
The Syria They Remember
Helin and Feriel grew up in a village in northern Syria, where agriculture shaped daily life. Vineyards stretched across the landscape, sheep grazed near the village, and fruit trees filled family gardens.
Photographer: Agob Jacoub
When they speak about Syria, they rarely begin with politics. They talk about neighbours, harvest seasons, family gatherings, and the rhythms of village life.
One of Helin’s strongest childhood memories is of walking to the river with her older brother.
"I still remember the huge fish we saw one day in the river. It is one of those memories that has stayed with me."
It is a small memory, but perhaps that is precisely the point. Our understanding of home is often built from ordinary moments rather than historic events.
Preserving Syrian Cultural Heritage Through Craft
Today, Helin and Feriel live in Istanbul, where they have built a new life since leaving Syria in 2013. Through their work with Østerland, they continue to draw inspiration from the culture and traditions they grew up with.
"Many people only know Syria through the war. They do not know the Syria we remember."
Their comment stayed with us throughout the design process.
Because while conflict has shaped Syria’s recent history, it does not define the entirety of Syrian identity. Syria is also a place of craftsmanship, hospitality, agriculture, food traditions, and cultural heritage that stretches back thousands of years.
The motifs in this collection each tell part of that story.
The Damascus rose has long been used to produce rose water, perfumes, and preserves. Rose water is deeply connected to Syrian hospitality and is still used in homes across the region.
The Awassi sheep is one of the Middle East’s most distinctive breeds and has played an important role in rural communities for generations.
Grapes and lemons reflect a rich agricultural heritage and remain central ingredients in Syrian cuisine.
Together, these symbols offer a glimpse into a Syria that is rarely represented in international headlines.
Handmade Keychains Inspired by Memory
For Helin and Feriel, creating these handmade keychains is about more than preserving cultural traditions. It is also about sharing a more nuanced story of Syria.
A story rooted in memory rather than conflict.
A story that recognises that people carry their histories with them, even when they build lives elsewhere.
"When I make these objects, I am reminded that where I come from is beautiful and full of culture."
That sentiment sits at the heart of this collection.
Each keychain is handmade by Helin and Feriel in Istanbul and inspired by the landscapes, traditions, and memories that shaped their childhood.
They are small objects, but they carry stories that reach far beyond their size.
Explore the Collection
Discover Østerland’s collection of handmade keychains inspired by Syrian cultural heritage, created in collaboration with Syrian artisans in Istanbul.
Each design tells a story of memory, craftsmanship, and the traditions that continue to connect people to the places they call home.
