STORY: Vintage bookstore owner in Syria encourages readers to keep passion alive
SHOOTING TIME: April 21, 2024
DATELINE: April 23, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:15
LOCATION: Damascus
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the Modern Library bookstore
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): BASHIR JARKAS, Owner of Modern Library bookstore in Damascus
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): BASHIR JARKAS, Owner of the Modern Library in Damascus
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): BASHIR JARKAS, Grandson of owner of Modern Library

STORYLINE:

In the ancient al-Halbouni area of Syria's capital, Damascus, stands the Modern Library bookstore. It is owned by Bashir Jarkas and boasts a collection of over 100,000 books. It has been a local landmark for nearly six decades.

The 80-year-old Jarkas has dedicated his life to sharing his love for reading with the community.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): BASHIR JARKAS, Owner of Modern Library bookstore in Damascus 
"Books are my life, I cannot live without them. Once, I broke my foot and couldn't sit at home, so I preferred to sit among the books at that time. I can't stay at home. I love and prefer to stay in the library."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): BASHIR JARKAS, Owner of the Modern Library in Damascus 
"I advise everyone to continue reading because it benefits people, their children, and the community as a whole. It is unfortunate for a person to abandon books."

His grandson, also named Bashir, has followed in his grandfather's footsteps by working at the bookstore. He plans to continue the family legacy. 

SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): BASHIR JARKAS, Grandson of owner of Modern Library
"Books still have their charm even with the emergence of e-books or summaries on the internet. Books retain their charm when you open them, read them, and interact with their pages."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Damascus.
(XHTV)