CULTURE

NORTH AND EAST SYRIA — Marking a period of natural renewal, fertility, and abundance, the coming of spring has been celebrated by human civilizations around the world through history. In Beth Nahrin (Mesopotamia), the cradle of civilization, some of the oldest spring traditions are still practiced. The Syriacs, Kurds and…

BETH ZALIN (QAMISHLI), North and East Syria — In order to explore new ways of addressing issues related to Syriac (Aramaic-Chaldean-Assyrian) women, the Syriac Women’s Union (SWU) in Syria held a dialogue seminar within the International Women’s Day activities, at the Family Center in Zalin (Qamishli), North and East Syria.…

ARBCA’ILO, Kurdistan Region of Iraq — Catholicos-Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East Mar Awa III Royel welcomed the Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Erbil, Adriaan IJsselstein, at the Patriarchal Headquarters in Arbca’ilo (Erbil), Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). During the meeting, several important topics…

BOSTON — The Director General of Syriac Culture and Arts, Kaldo Ramzi Oghanna, delivered a lecture titled Preserving and Promoting the Culture of Chaldeans–Syriacs–Assyrians in Contemporary Iraq at Harvard University’s Emerson Hall in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. The lecture, hosted at the invitation of the Department of Near Eastern Languages and…

BAGHDEDE, Iraq — In a significant step toward cultural preservation and inclusivity, the Mayor of Baghdede (Qaraqosh / Hamdaniyah), Issam Behnam, officially responded to the Bethn Nahrain Patriotic Union’s (Huyodo Bethnahrin Athroyo, HBA) request to enforce the Official Languages Law. This law, enacted in Iraq following the 2003 constitution, recognizes…

BAGHDAD — In a statement, Iraq’s General Authority for Antiquities and Heritage announced the recovery of 27,000 looted relics from inside and outside Iraq. After months of diligent work, Iraq successfully recovered 27,000 historical artifacts, many of which were discovered in some of the oldest ancient Iraqi cities.    These artifacts…

SÖDERTÄLJE, Sweden — A delegation from the European Syriac Union (ESU) visited St. Jacob of Nisibis Church in Södertälje, Sweden, to extend their gratitude to Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Sweden and Scandinavia Mor Yohanon Lahdo and the Church community for their warm hospitality during the memorial service for Hawro (Comrade)…

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq — In collaboration with EWTN News, ACI MENA, the Catholic news agency for the Middle East and North Africa, released a joint documentary shedding light on the suffering of Iraqi Christians. The launch event, held at the Catholic University in Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq…

TICINO, DELMENHORST, HAMBURG – After long weeks of preparation, the members of the Bethnahrin Women’s Union and the Syriac Foundation of Ticino, Switzerland, celebrated a joint celebration in connection with International Women’s Day. The celebration was opened by Marta Hobel-Vergili and Aynur Boutros, who gave speeches on the meaning of…

By Dr Amine Jules Iskandar President of the Syriac Maronite Union – Tur Levnon How much do we know today about the musical heritage that emerged from the Levant and our mountains, enriching the West with its melodies and poetic depth? These hymns, which still echo beneath the vaulted ceilings…