HASAKAH: Olaf Taw Association celebrates Mother Language Day: “Our Syriac Language: Our Identity, Our Future. Towards Constitutional Recognition of Syriac as an Official Language in Syria”

HASAKAH, North & East Syria – The Olaf Taw Association for Syriac Language and the Syriac Strategic Studies Center organized an event to celebrate International Mother Language Day on Friday. It was attended by representatives from institutions affiliated with the Beth Nahrain National Council, Syriac political and party figures, intellectuals, and cultural enthusiasts, officials from the Syriac Cultural Association and the Syriac Youth. The celebration took place at the Church of the Virgin Mary Hall in the Nasra neighborhood of Hasakah. The event was held under the slogan: “Our Syriac Language… Our Identity… Our Future… Towards Constitutional Recognition of Syriac as an Official Language in Syria.” 

An annual tradition 

Bidaa Shamo, a member of the Olaf Taw Association’s Hasakah branch, stated in an interview with SyriacPress that they commemorate this occasion annually. She highlighted various segments of the event, including a lecture on the significance of the Syriac language, as well as performances featuring poetry, singing, and traditional Syriac folk dances. 

A language that shaped history and civilization 

Ibrahim Adamo, head of the Syriac Cultural Association in Syria, praised the Syriac language’s historical contributions to civilization, as evidenced by inscriptions found throughout Beth Nahrain. He expressed hope that the new Syrian constitution would officially recognize Syriac as an official language.

Reviving the glory of the Syriac language 

Jumana Baho Osi, from the Olaf Taw Foundation, emphasized that the Syriac language has been marginalized due to wars and forced displacement, despite being a civilizational, religious, and cultural heritage. She reaffirmed that through this event, they aim to restore the legacy of the Syriac language. 

A celebration with meaningful participation 

The event was well received by attendees. Faten Doshi, a mother of children who participated in the performances, described the celebration as rich and unique, urging the continuation of similar events in the future. 

Plans to support the Syriac language 

Regarding efforts to promote Syriac and prevent its extinction, Baho Osi stated that they organize language courses for children and advocate for their right to learn and preserve their mother tongue, aiming to revitalize Syriac heritage. 

Similarly, Ibrahim Adamo noted that the Syriac Cultural Association is working to safeguard intangible Syriac heritage, particularly through choirs that perform in Syriac and teaching children the language through songs, ensuring that future generations can communicate in Syriac fluently. 

These events emphasize the need for constitutional recognition of Syriac as an official language in Syria, while also raising awareness about the role of mother languages in cultural identity. 

Since 2014, Syriac has been recognized as one of the official languages of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria. It is also one of the ancient Semitic languages still in use today.