First Lady Takes Part in Festivity on Protecting, Preserving Syrian Cultural Heritage
DAMASCUS, (ST)- First Lady, Mr. Asma al-Assad has stressed that Syria is the cradle of diverse rich cultures and that targeting this diversity and richness has been continuous over the past decades until now, pointing out that the current war on Syria, besides being a military, geographical and economic war, is also a cultural war targeting the Syrians’ identity, belongingness, roots and cultural heritage.
In a video posted on the Syrian Presidency’s Facebook page, Mrs. Asma said “targeting the Syrian heritage and artifacts has been systematic over the past eight years, yet, we have been adherent to our tangible and intangible heritage,” noting that the first element of the Syrian intangible heritage was included in UNISCO world heritage list and that four other elements will be nominated for inclusion.
Mrs. Asma, who was speaking on Saturday on the sidelines of her participation in a cultural event titled “Zelal” (Shadows) marking the inclusion of first element of the Syrian intangible heritage in the world heritage list, said that all the Syrian traditions, songs, folkloric dance and other cultural activities form together the Syrian intangible heritage, which has been over the past years a fatty material for Syria’s enemies who seek occupying the country, whether through occupying the land or through stealing the Syrian heritage and antiquities to cancel the identity.
She affirmed the need to defend and preserve Syria’s tangible and intangible heritage, which are connected to each others like the soul and the body, clarifying that the intangible heritage is the soul of the tangible heritage.
“Zelal” festivity was held at the archeological al-Tekiyeh al-Suleimaniyeh complex in Damascus by the Syrian National Committee for the UNESCO and the Syria Trust for Development, in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture.
It focused on showing the diverse and rich Syrian intangible heritage, the first element of which was included in the world heritage list that need urgent protection.
The event included artistic shows and documentaries relating to the Syrian intangible heritage.
Minister of Culture Tawfik al-Imam and Director General of the Syrian Trust for Development Fares Kallas held a joint press conference in which they reviewed steps relating to nominating the Syrian tangible and intangible heritage to be included in the world heritage list.
Kallas said “our heritage belongs to our societies; the artisans, artists, farmers, musicians, writers and poets who altogether can give this heritage a meaning and depth.”
Hamda Mustafa