A voluntary national work day to preserve the Krak des Chevaliers

With the participation of more than one hundred and fifty male and female volunteers,  an initiative within a framework of a voluntary national work day was held in Krak des Chevaliers to  preserve it  by cutting weeds, shrubs and harmful trees..

Dr. Amer al-Sibai, Head of the Heritage Committee at Homs branch of  the Syrian Engineers Syndicate  explained to SANA that the initiative was launched with the aim of protecting the castle by cutting shrubs and herbs within specific directions and instructions in agreement with the Homs Department of Antiquities.

For her part, Head of the Department of Antiquities of Krak des Chevaliers , Naima Muhartam, indicated that since the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums  ( GDAM) has returned to work in Krak des Chevaliers  in 2014, studies are  prepared on  how to restore and preserve  it  through   the joint  Syrian-Hungarian mission there. 

Dr. Adnan Younes, President of “Al-Hawash”  Private University, pointed out that this initiative is  a real message that Syria is a country of civilizations and that the Syrian people are creative and  seek  to build their country despite  the terrorists  organizations’ attempts  to destroy it.

Dr. Diala Barakat at  the Homs Antiquities Department and a member of the Engineering Heritage Committee indicated that the voluntary initiative came out of the castle’s need for this work, as certain parts of the castle were weeded with the aim of improving the  way to it.

Engineer Hazem Hanna, Head of the Engineering Section  at the Department of Antiquities of the Krak des Chevaliers  described the initiative as important and valuable and helps advance this important cultural edifice , pointing to the need to work to protect the castle by various means.

It is noteworthy that the initiative was held in cooperation between the branch of the Engineers Syndicate in Homs, represented by the Heritage Committee, in cooperation with “Al-Baath” University, “Al-Hawash” Private University,  Al-Hosn City Council and  Al-Hosn Antiquities Department.

Rawaa Ghanam