Cultural day held in Belgium to highlight heritage of Aleppo city

In a message of love to the city of Aleppo, its ancient history and culture, the Berouye Cultural Center in Belgium organized a heritage day that highlighted the cultural heritage of the Syrian city of Aleppo.

This cultural day, titled “To Aleppo,” came in coordination with the Syrian mission to the European Union in Brussels, the Syrian Expatriates Association, and a Belgian association concerned with humanitarian work.  The proceeds of the Aleppo Cultural Day activities return back to humanitarian projects dedicated to helping families and children in Aleppo.

The activities included a presentation by the representative of the Syrian Expatriates Association in which she spoke about the city of Aleppo and the rich value of its heritage, culture and components of life, despite the repercussions of the war and the effects of the devastating earthquake on it.

A short film, which was screened, simulated the culture and heritage that characterizes the city of Aleppo and through which Aleppo became open to the world through civilized cultural exchange with peoples.

Ambassador Ammar Al-Arsan, Head of the Syrian Mission to the European Union, pointed to the historical importance of the city of Aleppo to the world as a global humanitarian destination and a link between East and West.

He pointed  to the historical connection between the people of Aleppo and music and the contribution of the Aleppo Qudud to the human cultural heritage, and its registration as an intangible cultural element on the UNESCO list, in addition to Aleppo’s hosting consulates and diplomatic centers throughout history.

During this event musical pieces, traditional songs and Aleppo Qudud, were presented on the stage of the Beroueh Cultural Theater by the Syrian expatriate Razek Badra, accompanied on the oud by the famous Belgian musician Karim Baghili.

In a statement to SANA, Badra said: “The idea of ​​the cultural day for the city of Aleppo was launched after a musical evening that he held on the same stage, during which he talked about the Aleppo heritage and the authentic Syrian culture and introduced it to the Belgian audience, who expressed their interest in this culture through their massive attendance at this day’s activities.”

Badra pointed out that the Belgian audience expressed their passion for learning about Syrian  culture in the musical evenings which I sought to revive in most Belgian theatres.

In this context, traditional Aleppo cuisine and its various components was introduced to the Belgian public during the cultural day.

Rawaa Ghanam