Panel discussion in Ankawa, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, explores role of digitization in preserving identity

ANKAWA, Kurdistan Region of Iraq — A panel discussion on the role of digitization in safeguarding cultural identity was held at the Syriac Heritage Museum, under the General Directorate of Syriac Culture and Arts. Titled Digitizing Heritage and Keeping Pace with the Age of Technology, the event gathered scholars and cultural leaders to explore how modern advancements can document and protect the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian people’s rich legacy.

Kaldo Ramzi Oghanna, Director General of Syriac Culture and Arts, opened the session by commending the museum’s digitization efforts. He stressed the importance of using digital tools to preserve the cultural heritage of Iraq’s diverse communities, making it accessible to global researchers while safeguarding it for future generations.

Dr. Alda Benjamin from the University of Dayton in Ohio, USA, highlighted the transformative potential of technology in connecting the past with the present. She urged collaboration between cultural institutions in Iraq and the diaspora to exchange expertise, foster communication, and prevent the cultural assimilation of Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian communities abroad.

Attendees engaged in a dynamic dialogue, emphasizing the importance of investing in digitization initiatives to preserve their collective memory. Participants noted that modern technology could serve as a bridge across borders and generations, ensuring cultural heritage remains a vibrant and integral part of the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian identity.

The event concluded with a collective commitment to leveraging technology as a powerful tool for preserving and promoting heritage, underscoring its role in protecting cultural identity in an increasingly globalized world.