YOUNG PEOPLE AND CYBERACTIVISM IN THE ARAB SPRING IN SYRIA: GRAFFITI AS A FORM OF EXPRESSION AND REVOLT

Abstract

The Arab Spring was characterized by social revolts and flourishing of arts. One of the most relevant artistic manifestations was graffitis. Graffiti was declared as a form of expression suitable for trying to change social and political problems since it is considered an alternative media. In addition, it was supported by young people in order to make the revolution. Apart from this, one of the most significant cases was Syria as the Arab Spring began with a graffiti with terrible consequences. Therefore, the aim of this research is to analyze the development of graffiti in the Arab Spring. Moreover, this research is an attempt to study the case of Syria as one of the most representative. Consequently, a qualitative methodology has been developed. It has been used both a theoretical approach to the state in question will be chosen as well as an ethnographic visual method to analyze graffiti. Regarding the results and discussion, graffiti is an alternative form of expression that has served to unite young people in the Arab world and in Syria. However, it had not been possible without the development of internet and web 2.0 that have allowed the graffiti to survive on the internet.