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Buses upended in Berlin evoke suffering of Syrian refugees

10 of November 2017

Three busses are positioned close to the 'Brandeburg Gate' in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Nov. 10, 2017. Syrian artist Manaf Halbouni placed the three buses upright in the German capital, to remind on the suffering of civilians in the Syrian city of Aleppo. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn),Three busses are positioned close to the 'Brandeburg Gate' in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Nov. 10, 2017. Syrian artist Manaf Halbouni placed the three buses upright in the German capital, to remind on the suffering of civilians in the Syrian city of Aleppo. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

A Syrian-born artist has set up three upended buses next to Berlin's Brandenburg Gate, an installation meant to evoke the suffering of civilians in Syria. Manaf Halbouni's "Monument" mirrors a barrier made of buses that was placed on a street in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo to protect residents from sniper fire.

BERLIN (AP) — A Syrian-born artist has upended three buses next to Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate, an installation meant to evoke the suffering of civilians in Syria.

Manaf Halbouni’s “Monument” mirrors a barrier made of buses that was placed on a street in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo to protect residents from sniper fire.

Halbouni’s work was set up earlier this year outside the Frauenkirche church in Dresden, a symbol of that city’s rebirth following its destruction in World War II. It drew criticism from far-right groups.

Halbouni said Friday the symbolism of the work is “just as strong” in Berlin. He added: “I think it’s very important for the discussion to be resumed, particularly in the capital.”