“Al-Adeyat” archaeological Society in Lattakia documents architecture, folk and maritime heritage

Our Heritage is a legacy from our past. It is something we live with today and, hopefully, something that we can pass onto future generations. In every country, cultural heritage is both a record of life and history and also an irreplaceable source of creativity and inspiration.

“Civilization is built on three axes: place, man, time. Heritage is deeply-rooted into history. Everyone must be proud of the heritage of their country. Heritage in all its forms is considered as precious human wealth  that we must protect”, Researcher Bassam Jablawi, a member of the board of directors of the Al-Adeyat archaeological Society in Lattakia said in a statement to the Syriatimes e-newspaper at the sideline of a cultural festivity held marking the Arab Heritage Day.

Jablawi stressed the society’s main  objective is to preserve , protect, revive and introduced tangible and intangible Syrian heritage through different kinds of intellectual and cultural activities carried out by the society, indicating that the society’s headquarters is in Aleppo and it has  branches in Homs, Idleb, Jableh, Safita, Tartous and Hama.

He made it clear that Al-Adeyat society was established in the city of Aleppo in 1924 AD  by a  group of intellectuals there  from different political and social backgrounds with the aim of protecting the Citadel of Aleppo .

Researcher Jablawi indicated that the society was  initially launched under the name of  the “ Society of Aleppo’s  Friends of the Castle and the Museum,” during the French Mandate as  at that time, a French garrison was stationed within the Citadel of Aleppo.

Researcher Jablawi, who is head of the architecture, Maritime and Folk Heritage Committee of  Al-Adeyat society highlighted that the society’s activities include giving  weekly lectures on various topics in the intellectual cultural , literature and heritage fields ,  carrying out archaeological scientific and  entertainment trips to visit  the most important archaeological monuments in Lattakia and other  provinces in addition to holding  traditional artistic concerts.

He added that several committees have been formed, such as the Committees of cultural activities, the Library Tours and Public Relations, and the architecture , Maritime and Folk Heritage one .

“The society has made several proposals to collect, preserve and revive the Syrian heritage. We seek to hold a “National Heritage and Antiquities Day”  which coincides with the anniversary of the martyrdom of the famous researcher Dr. Khaled Al-Asaad, curator of the ruins of Palmyra who was killed by the terrorists groups” Jablawi said .

He went on to say that  “ we hope to hold the National Music Day” in memory of the late great musician Mahmoud Al-Ajjan, and another national day for maritime heritage in memory of the death of the writer Hanna Mina, the writer of the sea, who wrote most of his novels about the sea in addition to holding  a National Geology Day in memory of the death of Dr. Fawaz Al-Azki, who founded the only geological museum in the Arab world”.

In turn, Mrs.  Ghaidaa Jamous, the  professor at the Department of History at Tishreen University in Lattakia and specialized in ancient history , told Syriatimes “ heritage is the memory of every country. Our heritage is our identity, our heritage is our wealth, our pride is in our heritage”.

She indicated that through the society’s weekly  cultural, intellectual, scientific,  heritage and  geology lectures we shed light on our history and the importance of preserving it .

Dr. Jamous , who is a member of  the architecture, Maritime and Folk Heritage Committee, stressed that the heritage of Lattakia has a very ancient maritime and archaeological history and  requires great effort and responsibility to  protect it  from the brutal globalization which aimed at  obliterating  our heritage”.

She highlighted  thatSyria is the home of civilization and is rich in antiquities and heritage  must be preserved to ensure its continuity for future generations.

She  pointed out that through the Maritime Heritage Committee of the society and  the participation of a group of fishermen and navigators, we sought to preserve and revitalize the marine heritage by collecting chants when receiving sailors and boats, poems and songs and proverbs about the sea,  terms used only by sailors, kinds of fish and tools of fishing as well as  revealing underwater antiquities.

“In cooperation with my students at the university we try to document the tangible heritage including  castles, fortresses, walls, museums, and historical monuments to be saved later in archaeological, and historical volumes” Dr. Jamous concluded .

Interviewed by :Rawaa Ghanam