In the heart of Taiz, the “Memory Museum” was inaugurated in a widely attended official and public event. The opening ceremony, led by Deputy Governor Mohammed Al-Sanwi, preserves the memory of eight years under siege, turning suffering into a living testimony of violations and the resilience of the city’s people.
The exhibition was part of the SPARK project, organized by SAM Organization for Rights and Liberties in partnership with the Abductees’ Mothers Association, with support from the DT Institute, and in coordination with the General Authority for Antiquities and Museums and the Office of Siege Affairs and Culture in Taiz. It aims to preserve collective memory and strengthen a culture of remembrance, while providing a space for education and advocacy that raises public awareness and documents victims’ suffering.
The exhibition featured photographs, artworks, remnants of weapons, disguised landmines, a hospitality corner, and a photography section. It will remain open to visitors for three days.
More Than Just a Besieged City
Maher Al-Absi, Director of the Office of Siege Affairs, described the museum as “an embodiment of the memory of war and violations against civilians.” He explained that the collection goes beyond photos and drawings to include remnants of weapons and disguised landmines designed to target women and children. “The museum is not just to record war, but to warn future generations against repeating it,” he added.
Victims’ Suffering and a Call for Reconciliation
Abdullah Jassar, a member of the Community Reconciliation Committee, said the exhibition is a platform to bring victims’ voices to the world: “Every photo and painting here is a clear message that the siege is ongoing, and that Taiz is still waiting for this injustice to end.”
A Museum for Memory and Transitional Justice
Project Officer Moa’th Al-Faqeeh noted that the museum is “not merely an exhibition, but a gateway into pain and a testimony of resilience.” He added: “The broader goal is to pave the way for transitional justice and preserve the memory of victims as part of reparations.”
Restoring the Spirit of Museums
Mahboub Al-Jaradi, Director of the Antiquities and Museums Authority in Taiz, expressed hope that the project will “revive the spirit of the National Museum, which has been closed for years due to the war.” He stressed that “Taiz deserves an exhibition that reflects its historical depth and cultural diversity, and that young generations must recognize museums as vital cultural memory.”
Art as the Language of Memory
Asma’a Al-Ra’i, Executive Director of the Abductees’ Mothers Association, described the exhibition as “a true record of violations and a way to keep memory from fading with time.” She added that art is “an eternal message that captures tragedy with an eloquence beyond words.”
An Open Visual Memory
Journalist Sam Al-Buhairi called the museum “a visual archive and a living witness to Taiz’s suffering since the start of the siege.” He expressed hope that it would become “an open memory and a permanent site that reminds future generations of what happened so it is never repeated.”
Voices of Art and Resistance
Nada Mahmoud, one of the participants, shared her experience: “I painted Cairo Castle as a symbol of resilience, and portrayed people’s struggles with water, electricity, and closed roads, to send a message that Taiz will remain steadfast despite everything.”
From Pain to Hope
The opening of the Memory Museum was more than a cultural event; it was an act of resistance against forgetting. Through images, artifacts, and testimonies, the museum confronts visitors with the realities of war and siege. At the same time, it opens a window of hope that living memory can build new awareness and a society more committed to peace and justice.
Photography: Anas Anees
