Suroyo TV 2024 Gala lottery prizes presented in Switzerland and Belgium

TICINO, Switzerland / BRUSSELS — Following the presentation of the first prize, an iPhone, to Andreas Onaktog at the Suroyo TV 2024 Gala in Giessen, Germany, the second prize — a Sayfo watch — was handed over to winner Matay Hobil in Switzerland.

The third prize was presented by the event’s preparatory committee and Co-Chair of the European Syriac Union (ESU), Fehmi Vergili, to the winner, Benjamin Akay, in Brussels, Belgium.

Remarkably, no Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) individual from Belgium had won any lottery prize at previous Suroyo TV Galas over the past 20 years.

During the prize presentation, Vergili highlighted that the Akay family has been a steadfast supporter of the Bethnahrin National Council (Mawtbo Umthoyo D’Bethnahrin, MUB) since 1994. He emphasized that their participation in the Gala is not for winning prizes but to support Suroyo TV and its mission.

After receiving the prize, Akay expressed gratitude to Suroyo TV, stating, “Our participation in these events is meant to support the channel and MUB’s struggle, not to win lottery prizes.” He also urged the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people to unite.

The grand prize, a car, is set to be awarded to Abrohom Maksi Saado from the US.