The Syrian economy performed relatively well in 2005 and 2006 thanks to the beneficial effects of the Gulf boom, good harvests and capital inflows from Iraqi refugees.

ECONOMIST: Why President Bashar Assad is feeling cock-a-hoop

Many of the show's terra-cotta heads and smaller statues are of Demeter, the goddess of good harvests, or of her daughter Proserpine, forced to become the queen of the underworld when she was abducted by Hades, its king.

WSJ: Sicily's Proud Past | Sicily: Art and Invention Between Greece and Rome | J. Paul Getty Museum By David Littlejohn

Good rainfall and harvests in the last two years have spurred economic growth without creating enough jobs for the young in the towns.

ECONOMIST: The king is seeking to embrace moderate Islamists

In fact, according to Mr Abbassian, there is no shortage of rice, despite patchy harvests, while inventories of wheat are good, and much higher than in 2007.

BBC: Food price crisis: What crisis?