CULTURE

TUR ABDIN, Turkey — After more than four decades of migration, Syriac villagers originally from Jannat returned to their homeland this year to honor the feast of Mar Gewargis (Saint George) in a heartfelt celebration of cultural and spiritual heritage.    The villagers, who emigrated to Belgium, Germany, and other European…

KOBANI, North and East Syria — A delegation from Barcelona, Spain, has announced its readiness to implement sports projects aimed at fostering development and community cohesion in Northeast Syria. The initiative, unveiled during a press conference in Kobani, will primarily focus on engaging children and their families across several cities…

BRUSSELS — Syriac athlete Johannes Hanna, who resides in Belgium, claimed the World Kickboxing Championship title in the 65-kilogram weight category on Saturday. His triumph came after a fierce and closely contested match against his Belgian opponent, showcasing his remarkable skill and determination.  Hanna’s victory marks a milestone in his…

ARBCA’ILO (ERBIL), Kurdistan Region of Iraq — A thought-provoking panel on Syriac culture was held at the 17th Arbca’ilo (Erbil) International Book Fair on Thursday, organized by the General Directorate of Syriac Culture and Arts in collaboration with the fair’s management and the Al-Mada Foundation for Culture, Media, and Arts. …

Iskander Aziz Qoulanj stands as one of the most prominent figures in Syrian art, carrying the rich Syriac heritage and an exceptional artistic talent that has made him a symbol of creativity and dedication. Born in 1937 in Zalin (Qamishli), Hasakah Governorate, Aziz grew up in a culturally diverse environment…

BETH ZALIN (QAMISHLI), North and East Syria — The 10th Women’s Art and Literature Festival has officially begun in Zalin (Qamishli), North and East Syria, bringing together dozens of female artists and writers from across the region.  Held under the slogan “Free Art is the Voice and Color of Women,”…

DUKER, North and East Syria — A joyous and harmonious atmosphere permeated the village of Duker as the Yezidi community celebrated their New Year, known as Red Wednesday. The event, marked by traditional dances, songs, and congratulatory speeches, saw distinguished attendance from representatives of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North…

SÖDERTÄLJE, Sweden — The prestigious Young Scientists competition in Sweden this year showcased remarkable talent, with high school students presenting groundbreaking scientific projects at Södertälje’s Education Center. Among the finalists were six promising youths from the Syriac community, marking a significant achievement. Out of 55 high school students nationwide who…

MEDYAD, Turkey — The Syriac Women’s Union (Huyodo d’Neshe d’Bethnahrin, HNB) in Tur Abdin organized a vibrant Easter celebration for children in Medyad (Midyat) and its surrounding villages. The event, held at the Federation of Syriac Associations in Turkey (Süryani Dernekler Federasyonu, SÜDEF) headquarters, featured traditional activities such as preparing…

OMID, Turkey — Linguists and advocates at the Mother Tongue Workshop, organized by the Education and Science Workers’ Union (Eğitim Sen) Amed Branches, sounded the alarm over the precarious state of the Syriac language. Once a prominent language of trade and diplomacy in the Middle East, Syriac now risks extinction…