CULTURE

BETH NAHRIN — Under the theme Akitu, the First of April, is the Festival of Our National Unity, the Bethnahrin National Council (Mawtbo Umthoyo D’Bethnahrin, MUB) issued a statement on Monday celebrating the arrival of the Babylonian-Assyrian New Year, Akitu. The MUB emphasized that this ancient festival symbolizes renewal and…

ARBCA’ILO, Kurdistan Region of Iraq — Amid Iraq’s deepening political and social crises, Chaldean Patriarch Cardinal Mar Louis Raphael Sako called for an inclusive national dialogue to address longstanding challenges and build a strong, sovereign state. Sako emphasized the urgent need for a new phase of strategic thinking, particularly with…

BAGHDEDE, Iraq — The Athra Alliance in Iraq issued a public statement marking the celebration of the Babylonian-Assyrian New Year, Akitu 6775, which falls on 1 April. The Alliance extended its congratulations to the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian community, highlighting the festival’s deep cultural and historical significance. The Athra Alliance is a joint…

NORTH AND EAST SYRIA / NINEVEH PLAINS — The General Command of the Syriac Security Forces (Sutoro), Sutoro Women, the Syriac Military Council (Mawtbo Fulhoyo Suryoyo, MFS), and the Bethnahrin Patriotic Union (Huyodo Bethnahrin Athroyo, HBA) have extended their warmest Eid al-Fitr greetings to Muslims around the world. In a…

BETH NAHRIN — As the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people in Syria and around the world celebrate the 6775th Babylonian-Assyrian New Year, Akitu (Kha Nison), prominent religious, artistic, and media figures extended their warm wishes through our news desk. Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Gozarto (Jazira) and Euphrates Mor Maurice Amsih emphasized that…

ANKAWA/BETH ZALIN, Iraq-Syria — With the national holiday of Akitu or “Kha Nison” coming up, the Bethnahrain Patriotic Union (HBA) in Iraq and the Syriac Union Party (SUP) in Syria have announced the locations and details of their celebrations on April 1.  HBA is holding this year’s Kha Nison celebration in…

Introduction The Syriac artist Youssef Abdelké is one of the most prominent visual artists in the Middle East, known for his ability to merge artistic experimentation with deep social and political engagement. His unique style in printmaking (graphic arts) and political caricature has earned him a distinguished place in the…

By Nurgül Çelebi Akitu, also known as Akitum, is the Mesopotamian New Year festival. Such festivals are among the oldest and the most universally observed today. The earliest known record of a New Year festival dates to about 2000 BCE in Mesopotamia, where in Babylonia the new year began with…

BARTELLA, Iraq — A solemn funeral service was held in the Syriac town of Bartella, located in Nineveh Plains region of Iraq, to honor Syriac Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of Baghdad Athanasius Matti Mattoka. The ceremony was presided over by Syriac Catholic Patriarch Ignatius Joseph III Younan and drew a large…

BETH ZALIN, North and East Syria — The Community Council overseeing the Syriac private schools in the Gozarto (Jazira) Canton has officially designated Akitu, or Kha Nison (1 April), as an official holiday in its affiliated schools. The schools are under the jurisdiction of the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese of Gozarto…