Mazen Lotfi passed away at the age of 85Mazen Lotfi is one of the most prominent pioneers of radio in Syria

Death, on Friday, claimed the prominent Syrian radio artist and director Mazen Lotfi at the age of 85, following a severe health condition he had recently suffered from, bringing to a close the journey of an artist who presented distinguished works over more than five decades.

The Syrian Artists Syndicate mourned the late artist, who remained present in the artistic scene until his final days, whether in television or radio works. He is considered one of the most prominent pioneers of radio in Syria, as he enriched the radio scene with thousands of works between acting and directing.

A large number of artists remembered the late artist and their moments with him, expressing their sorrow at the passing of an artist who devoted his life to continuous and dedicated work at Radio Damascus.

Mazen Lotfi was born in Damascus in 1941, and he began his artistic career on the theater stage, participating in small roles within private popular theater.

In 1972, he began his work at Radio Damascus, and a year later he became a member of the Syrian Artists Syndicate.

Lotfi refined his talent through several training courses inside and outside Syria, then moved into the world of radio directing, becoming one of the most prominent directors of radio drama in Syria and the Arab world.

During his radio directing career, he produced massive works amounting to around 16,000 hours of radio drama.

Among his most notable radio works are “Tales from the Unknown” and “Voice in Memory,” which he both prepared and directed, and which is considered a tribute to pioneering artists who passed away, as it highlights their artistic and media careers.

In addition to his radio activity, the late artist participated in cinematic works and dozens of television series, including: “The Deceased’s Will,” “Warm Roots,” “Tarabeesh,” “Days of Abu Antar,” “Maraya,” “Dunya,” “Asb of Madness,” and “The Wife’s Husband.”

During his career, Lotfi received many awards and honors, including the Golden Award at the Tunisia Festival in 1986 for “Seeds of Literature,” as well as the Golden Creativity Awards at the Cairo Arab Media Festival for works such as “Crossroads of Rain,” “Amazing Phenomena,” and “Voice in Memory.”