Olaf Taw Association for Syriac language meets with officials and institutions in Iraq to discuss Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian cultural preservation

ERBIL, Iraq — On Sunday, a delegation from the Olaf Taw Association for Syriac Language visited cultural institutions of the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian people in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) to see their latest work and discuss ways of joint cooperation to preserve the Syriac language and Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian heritage and culture in Beth Nahrin (Mesopotamia).

The delegation was headed by Olaf Taw official Jacqueline Saliba and included members of the organization’s administrative body. They visited the General Directorate of Syriac Culture in the KRI Keldo Ogna, Directorate Advisor, Boutros Nabati, and official of the Education Committee of the Bethnahrain National Council (Mawtbo Umthoyo D’Bethnahrin, MUB) in Iraq Abelhad Saka.

During the visit, the two parties discussed a set of points related to the Syriac culture, heritage, and language. Saliba provided an explanation about the work of the Olaf Taw Association, including its curricula and educational process for the Syriac language in the regions of the Democratic Autonomous Administration (DAA) in North and East Syria.

The discussion also covered the recent situation in the region and the importance of giving sufficient attention to teaching the Syriac language, preserving culture and heritage by supporting civil and community institutions and organizations, and the importance of their role in this regard.

The Directorate then provided an explanation of its work and activities, the latest of which was the Syriac Media Congress. Projects to support the Directorate and the Syriac Heritage Museum are also underway.

The visit concluded with wishes of success for the work of the Olaf Taw Association and an agreement to develop joint work and benefit from existing experiences and capabilities to advance the reality of the Syriac language and culture.

The Olaf Taw Association delegation also visited the Syriac Heritage Museum and the Syriac Library where they examined the heritage materials in its holdings. The items in the collection originate from different eras and include tools, clothes, and other everyday objects. The director of the museum, Bernard Ashur, and the director of the library, Haifa Shamoun, explained the roles, activities, and future work of their respective institutions to the delegation.