the syrian national orchestra for arabic music was founded in damascus in 2003. but, after the outbreak of war in 2011, many of its members were forced to flee the country. our world follows four musicians — as they prepare for a ground—breaking series of concerts, reuniting orchestra members in exile, and those in syria, in the hope of changing perceptions of their war—torn nation. over ten years ago, a remarkable orchestra played in damascus. performing arabic music at the highest level. but when war broke now the 2011, some musicians were forced to flee syria. but since 2011, the country has been torn apart by a this is the story of an attempt to bring the orchestra back together, for a once—in—a—lifetime tour, to reunite those living in syria and as refugees. and try to change the way the world sees their war—torn nation. since the beginning of the war in syria, an estimated 9 million people have fled their homes in search of a new life. one of them is essam. he claimed asylum in america in 2013, after being invited to teach music in a university here. i watch

before the war, he, his sister and brother all played in the syrian national orchestra for arabic musicok over the orchestra in 2003 and conducted them for ten years, touring europe and the middle east. when he left, he didn't know if he would ever lead them again. but that could be about to change. international organisers are trying to bring the orchestra to europe for a one—off tour that would reunite musicians from inside syria and those now living abroad, like issam. this is ourdream, actually, my dream. his friends are helping him prepare. issam wrote this piece for the orchestra while he was still living in damascus. but the tour hangs in the balance. since the outbreak of war, it is almost impossible to get visas for syrians to leave the country. he is very stressed, because he was so busy lately writing all this stuff and worried about the music, the visa. so, yeah, you can see, look, he lost a lot of weight. he lost a lot of weight, i hate him. i gave it to him. issam might also be unable to travel. with his ongoing asylum claim, there is a risk he won't be given permission to