Edessa Art Committee celebrates 31st anniversary with festive tribute to Syriac culture in Beth Zalin, North and East Syria

BETH ZALIN, North and East Syria — The Edessa Art Committee marked its 31st anniversary on Sunday with a vibrant celebration under the theme Together to Enrich Syriac Art. Held at the Syriac Orthodox Saint Gabriel Hall in Beth Zalin (Qamishli), North and East Syria, the event brought together clergy, community leaders, and a large audience of local residents to honor Syriac cultural heritage.

The celebration was held under the auspices of Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Gozarto (Jazira) and Euphrates Mor Maurice Amsih and Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Spain Mor Nicolaus Matti Abd Alahad. The festivities featured performances by the Saint Ephrem Syriac Choir of Hasakah and the Edessa Choir, who presented a blend of solo, choral, and traditional Syriac musical pieces.

The program began with the committee’s official anthem and a welcoming address, followed by a screening of a documentary on the life of renowned Syriac poet Denho Dhoho, adding a historical and cultural dimension to the celebration.

In a keynote address, Shamoun Thomas, Chair of the Edessa Art Committee, praised the Committee’s longstanding commitment to preserving the Syriac language and culture. He paid tribute to the artists, poets, and musicians who have contributed to the rich Syriac heritage over the years.

Messages of congratulations from social and artistic figures and institutions were read aloud, and several donations were announced in support of the committee’s ongoing work. An awards ceremony honored notable contributors, including clergy members, artists, and long-serving committee members. Among those recognized were Father Aho Ibrahim, the committee’s former spiritual advisor, and Archbishops Mor Maurice Amsih and Mor Nicolaus Matti Abd Alahad.

Speaking to SyriacPress on the sidelines of the event, Aweis Asaad, the Committee’s supervisor, recounted the organization’s founding and reaffirmed its commitment to preserving Syriac musical traditions. He expressed gratitude to the committee members for organizing the celebration and thanked Suroyo TV and SyriacPress for their coverage.

The ceremony concluded with the unveiling of an ambitious annual plan aimed at strengthening the role of Syriac women in cultural and artistic spheres, ensuring that the legacy of Syriac art continues to flourish for generations to come.