CULTURE

BETH ZALIN, North and East Syria — The Syriac Cultural Association in Syria celebrated its 17th anniversary with a vibrant event held at the Armenian General Benevolent Union Hall in Beth Zalin (Qamishli), North and East Syria.  The celebration brought together representatives from the Bethnahrin National Council (Mawtbo Umthoyo d’Bethnahrin,…

VATICAN — Chaldean Patriarch Cardinal Mar Louis Raphaël I Sako urged Pope Leo XIV to convene a meeting with the patriarchs of the Eastern Catholic Churches to address the growing challenges faced by their communities in the Middle East. His call comes as the Vatican renews efforts to promote peace…

ATHENS — At the Acropolis Museum, ancient civilizations converge in a poignant exploration of memory, loss, and cultural resilience. A newly opened exhibition showcases rare Assyrian and Greek antiquities alongside contemporary works by Iraqi-American Assyrian artist Michael Rakowitz, whose art reclaims what war and looting have taken. Running through October…

STOCKHOLM — Syriac writer Besim Aydin, who lives in Sweden, has published a new bilingual children’s book titled “The Little Star and the Big Journey“, featuring illustrations and text in both Syriac and Swedish.    Aydin, known for his works on the 1915 Sayfo Genocide and Syriac heritage cuisine, has expanded…

SULAYMANIYAH, Kurdistan Region of Iraq— On the second day of the Regional Democratic Women’s Alliance Conference, known as the NADA Alliance, in Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), female leaders from Syriac, Assyrian, and Chaldean communities emphasized the importance of unity and representation in the global women’s movement.  Ilham Matli,…

ALQOSH, Iraq — Beneath the spring sun and the shadow of its ancient hills, the historic town of Alqosh came alive on 9 May with the third edition of the Shuqa Alaya Festival — a vibrant celebration of tradition, community, and cultural resilience.  Held in the heart of the old…

DARAMSUQ — Syriac Orthodox Patriarchal Vicar for Youth Affairs and Christian Formation Bishop Mor Andraus Bahhi met with Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Syrian Transitional Government (STG) Dr. Marwan Halabi in Daramsuq (Damascus). The two discussed initiatives to strengthen Syria’s academic and scientific institutions. Acting under…

VATICAN — On the eve of the Jubilee of Eastern Churches’ audience with Pope Leo XIV, a Divine Liturgy in the East Syriac rite was celebrated in St. Peter’s Basilica presided over by Chaldean Patriarch Mar Louis Raphaël I Sako. This significant event brought together clergy, pilgrims, and faithful from…

MOSUL, Iraq — In a stunning discovery, archaeologists from Heidelberg University have unearthed a 2,600-year-old stone relief at the ancient site of Nineveh, located in present-day Mosul, Iraq. The artifact, carved during the reign of Ashurbanipal, the last great ruler of the Neo-Assyrian Empire (699–631 BCE), offers new insights into…

VATICAN — During the audience to participants in the Jubilee of the Eastern Churches, Pope Leo XIV praised Christian communities in the Middle East for their resilience in the face of war, marginalization, and persecution. He issued a call to the international community to ensure that Christians can remain in…