IRAQ: Baghdede celebrates sixth Mother Language Day Festival with slogan “Our Language Elevates our Existence”

BAGHDEDE/NINEVEH PLAIN, Iraq – The sixth annual Baghdede Mother Language Day festival was held at the St. Paul’s (Mar Bulos) House for Church Services in the Syriac city of Baghdede (Qaraqosh / Hamdaniyah) in Nineveh Plains, Iraq. The evening was under the auspices of the Syriac Catholic Archdiocese of Mosul.

The evening’s slogan was “Our Language Strengthens Our Existence” and included contributions and performances on culture, heritage and education. The event was held in cooperation with the Mor Aphrem Syriac Summer School, Union of Syriac Authors and Writers and the Mor Bulos House for Church Services.

The evening opened with the Lord’s Prayer in Syriac, followed by the Iraqi national anthem in Syriac, accompanied by the Syriac Baghdede Choir.

The Syriac Catholic Archbishop of Mosul Mor Benedict Younan Hinno delivered a speech in which he spoke about the importance of the Syriac language in preserving identity and heritage.

The event included Syriac chants, followed by a speech by the head of the Union of Syriac Authors Rawand Bulos who emphasized the Union’s role in preserving Syriac language and heritage.

It concluded with the announcement of the results of the Syriac language contest, the presentation of prizes and the recitation of songs and hymns.