Bahaa Dabbagh is a Syrian comedian, cook and community storyteller whose work celebrates the richness of Syrian culture and the power of laughter, food and belonging. Born in Saudi Arabia and raised in Aleppo, Bahaa fled the Syrian war in 2015, spending six years in Turkey before settling in Melbourne in 2021 - with his beloved cat, Sasha, in tow.
This year’s campaign theme, Finding Freedom: Diversity in Community, resonates deeply with Bahaa’s journey. “If one of us isn’t free, none of us is free,” he says.
Bahaa’s path from Syria to Australia is marked by resilience, humour and the search for belonging. “I left Syria as a mechanical engineer, textile engineer. I had eight years of experience in pathology and five years of experience in pharmacy,” he shares. “Now I’m a comedian, with mental health issues,” he jokes. “The refugee journey teaches you not to take anything for granted.”
“I’ve figured out a way to create belonging. It’s fragmented - pieces of me belong in different places.”
A powerful moment from his journey was smuggling his cat, Sasha, across dangerous borders. “I lost everything. And I have her. So she is everything now,” Bahaa says. “This cat is Syria. This cat is home.”
In Melbourne, Bahaa has rebuilt a sense of belonging through food, community and creativity. As a culinary educator with Free to Feed, he brings the tastes of his mother’s kitchen to life. “It’s funny how much you take the place you live in for granted until you realise you’ve lost it,” he reflects. “Cooking helps me feel like myself again.”
On stage, Bahaa’s comedy sparks laughter and reflection. He first performed in Turkey as part of a grassroots fundraiser. “There was this really famous cat that a Turkish soldier went to Syria and saved and took back to Turkey,” he recalls. “There were like 8000 applications to adopt the cat. I said, well, Syrians are now meowing on the borders. Maybe you can take some in.” This blend of humour and truth creates moments of impact. “It’s funny but true. Someone told me after the show, ‘We feel more sympathy for cats than humans.’”
Belonging is complex, Bahaa reflects “I’ve figured out a way to create belonging. It’s fragmented - pieces of me belong in different places.”
