European Syriac Union commemorates 18th anniversary

GUTERSLOH, Germany — On 15 May, the European Syriac Union (ESU) commemorated the 18th anniversary of its founding in Gütersloh, Germany.

Comrade Gabro Tuma, who helped organize the event, stated that, “The coronavirus pandemic left a great impact on social life around the world, including the Syriac community. We felt it was important to hold an event this year and have been preparing for the occasion and sending invitations to all the related institutions since last March.”

Among the invitees was Father Abrohom Gok, considered one of the most prominent advocates for the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people in the religious and national fields. Dr. Abrohom Lahdo and his family, Priest of Mor Malke Church in Örebro, Father Shamoun Bagandy, and Priest of Mary Virgin Church Father Daniel Gok were also invited.

Representatives of the Assyrian Democratic Organization (ADO), Federation of Syriac Associations in Turkey (Süryani Dernekler Federasyonu, SÜDEF), Middle Eastern Christians Foundation in Germany, Union of Tur Abdin Villages Renaissance, Syriac Union in Germany, Beth Nahrain Women’s Union (Huyodo d’Neshe d’Bethnahrin, HNB), heads of church councils, and other public figures, attended the ESU event.

ESU Co-Chair Fehmi Vergili highlighted the importance of national unity in the pursuit of rights for all Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) communities. He also stressed the need for self-criticism and to continue the progress being made in cooperative work among Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) institutions.

Following a number of congratulatory speeches, the celebration continued with national and folk songs by the artists Kamil Hanna, Sargon Sharro, and George Safar.