First Syriac library in Tur Abdin inaugurated in Hah, Turkey

HAH, Turkey — On Sunday, the first official Syriac library was opened in Hah (Anıtlı) village in the historic Tur Abdin region in southeast Turkey.

The Beth Shao Library, housed in the Virgin Lady Monastery in Hah village, was established at the initiative of the Beth Shao family in honor of their forebears Shao Beth Shao and his wife, Maryam Beth Shao.

At the beginning of the inauguration ceremony, Zaki Beth Shao, known for his research on the Sayfo Genocide, gave a welcoming speech to the attendees, followed by another speech on behalf of the Beth Shao family delivered by Marawge Beth Shao (Turkish family name: Yalcin).

“The purpose of opening the library is to remember our deceased fathers,” said Marawge Beth Shao. “The library will be dedicated to the service and dissemination of history of the Syriac [Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people.”

“Students and researchers on the issues and history of Syriac people can benefit from this library established in the land of our ancestors.”

Syriac MP in the Turkish Parliament George Aslan delivered a speech expressing his support and admiration for the opening of the library.

Elif Pashturk also delivered a speech on behalf of the Culture and Tourism Center in Mardin in which she congratulated the Shao family for their contribution to enriching the region culturally.

The opening was attended by Evgil Turker, President of the Federation of Syriac Associations in Turkey (Süryani Dernekler Federasyonu, SÜDEF) and representatives of government and media institutions. Suroyo TV covered the event.

Congratulatory telegrams from Archbishops of the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and Tur Abdin, as well as telegrams from the abbots of the Syriac Orthodox monasteries of St. Augin and St. Malki.

Congratulatory telegrams were also sent by former Syriac MP in the Turkish Parliament Tuma Çelik, as well as various government institutions and officials.