A celebration held marking the centenary of the foundation of the Archeological Society of Aleppo
Aleppo, (ST) – In the presence of President Bashar Al-Assad’s representative, Secretary-General of the Presidency of the Republic Mansour Azzam, and Aleppo Governor Hussein Diab, the Archeological Society of Aleppo (Al-Adiyat Association), which is concerned with preserving tangible and intangible heritage, on Wednesday celebrated the centenary of its foundation.
The Head of the Society Mohammad Khair Al-Din Al-Rifai affirmed during the ceremony held at the National Library Theater in Aleppo that the Archeological Society of Aleppo was established with the aim of preserving the important cultural heritage of Syria in all its aspects, as it started from Aleppo to a number of governorates with seventeen branches.
He indicated the Society’s cultural and historical role and the continuity of its activities despite the circumstances and challenges it faced, as it works to preserve the cultural heritage and restore what was damaged by sinful hands and natural factors.
Al-Rifai clarified that the Association did not only seek to preserve the heritage represented by the archaeological and historical landmarks and sites, but also sought to preserve the cultural, societal, national and human values that created this heritage by urging knowledge, working with sincerity and upholding the values of human brotherhood and religious tolerance.
He noted the important role of the successive directors of the Society, the last of whom was the honorary president of the Society, the late researcher Muhammad Qajah, in enhancing its work.
In turn, the Secretary of the Antiquities Association in Homs, Khadija Al-Hassan, clarified the importance and role of the Antiquities Association and its branches over a hundred years in preserving the heritage and in cultural advancement that is based not only on monuments, antiquities and historical facilities, but also on human experience, sciences, arts and virtues. He pointed to the various activities undertaken by the association and its 17 branches in the governorates to deepen awareness in preserving heritage.
During the ceremony, the Society’s former board member Gina Zobian, the late Nizar Baqo, and Dr. Salah Kazara were honored for their effective role in the Society’s work.
Zobian noted the role of the Society in highlighting the rich heritage identity of Syria as it gathers the treasures of authentic heritage and transfers them from one generation to another.
During the first session of the cultural program of the celebration, researcher Eng. Abdullah Hajjar spoke about the uniqueness of the Archeological Society of Aleppo in forming the largest and oldest source regarding documenting heritage in all its details within a unique scientific archive.
The celebration continues with many activities, events, cultural seminars, exhibitions and artistic performances at the National Library, the headquarters of the Society and the Old Aleppo Community Center.
Raghda Sawas