Syriac Youth from across Europe gather in Switzerland for cultural and educational summer camp

SWITZERLAND — Beginning on 3 August 2025, Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) youth from across Europe gathered in Switzerland for a summer camp organized by the Syriac Youth of the European Syriac Union (ESU). The camp offers a dynamic blend of educational seminars, recreational activities, and historical lectures designed to deepen participants’ understanding of their heritage and strengthen community bonds.

On the second day, attendees were introduced to the Syriac Youth Organization, its mission, and its ongoing work across Europe. The third day was dedicated to exploring the rich history of the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people in Beth Nahrin (Mesopotamia), offering participants deeper insight into their ancestral roots and cultural identity.

Interactive sessions prompted thought-provoking questions such as ‘who are we?’ and ’where do we come from?’ Participants engaged with these themes using the book History of the Syriacs, expressing strong enthusiasm and a keen desire to further explore their identity. A shared call for unity among Syriacs, Arameans, Assyrians, and Chaldeans resonated throughout the group.

The camp also featured group excursions, including a visit to a remote mountainside monastery, where youth met with the abbess and recited the Lord’s Prayer in both Western and Eastern Syriac dialects — a symbolic gesture of cultural continuity. Another outing included a scenic boat tour followed by mountain hiking, enriching the camp’s balance of learning and leisure. Members of the Syriac Youth website team also conducted interviews with participants to document their experiences.

Participants expressed great joy in taking part in the camp and voiced their readiness to support and contribute to the continued efforts of the Syriac Youth.

In the coming days, the camp program will include sessions on the role of youth in society, the genocides committed against the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people, and discussions surrounding the Syriac Youth’s action plan for the upcoming year.