VRT NWS documentary ‘From Ghent to Damascus’ wins prestigious AIB Award in London

The documentary follows Salah Jaradeh and Turkieh Allour, a couple from Ghent, as they return to their homeland Syria for the first time in ten years after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. VRT NWS journalist Inge Vrancken accompanies them on this emotional journey, exploring questions that resonate deeply: Is their home still standing? Does their neighborhood still exist? And most importantly, is their family still alive? The jury praised the production as “an immensely powerful and beautifully filmed documentary”. VRT NWS journalists Inge Vrancken and Jan Vleugels were present in London to accept the award. Reflecting on the experience, Vrancken said: “I had known Salah for a while and understood how difficult life as a refugee in Belgium had been for him. He left Syria at 17, having already witnessed terrible things. When the Assad regime fell, he was confused, scared, and hopeful all at once. I knew immediately he was the person I wanted to return to Syria with.” Turkieh’s story adds another layer of emotion. She left Syria at 18 and had not seen her mother for 15 years. Her uncle had disappeared in prison. “Through their stories, we were able to tell the bigger story of what happened in Syria – and reach audiences who might otherwise feel disconnected from the conflict,” Vrancken added. The AIB Awards have recognized excellence in international broadcasting since 2005, celebrating impactful storytelling that resonates across borders. From Ghent to Damascus exemplifies VRT NWS’s commitment to delivering compelling, human-centered journalism.