Lattakia’s Second Cultural Festival Brings all Aspects of Syrian Culture Together
Various artistic activities, including literature, fine art, cinema and theater, are held during Lattakia’s second cultural festival , which kicked off on Thursday at Dar Al-Assad for Culture in Latakia .
The opening ceremony of the festival, which is held under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture, was characterized by a dancing show presented by the “Agartha” band for theatre dancing , during which some artists presented a theatrical dialogue, that tells glimpses of the history of Lattakia through the ages , screening a documentary film on the most prominent and pioneering personalities of Lattakia including thinkers, writers, poets and artists.
Three exhibitions were opened within the festival’s activities, which included fine art , sculpture and a book fair in addition to an exhibition showcasing the children’s drawings and hand made works of the Cultural Team for Building life skills in Lattakia.
The Governor of Latakia Ibrahim Khader Al-Salem pointed out , in a speech he made in the opening ceremony that these cultural activities represent a clear evidence to document the overwhelming victories realized by the Syrian Arab Army against terrorism and culture is the living witness of Syria’s deep-rooted history and civilization from which the first musical note and alphabet originated.
On her part , Assistant Minister of Culture, Eng. Sanaa Al-Shawa, indicated in a statement to the Syriatimes e-newspaper that Lattakia’s first cultural festival constituted a pillar for holding festivals in other Syrian provinces , so it was the Ministry’s early work to celebrate Syrian culture with the aim of highlighting the fact that Syria is the home to the oldest and most advanced civilizations of the world and it enjoys long cultural history.
Mr. Majed sarem , Director of Culture in Lattakia stressed in a statement to the Syriatimes that the Ministry of culture is paying special attention to reactivate the culture movement in all the Syrian provinces, highlighting the importance of such festivals as a cultural phenomenon that brought together all aspects of Syrian culture.
On the sidelines of the cultural festivity “ Al-Kindi” cinema was re- opened in Lattakia with the special screening of the feature film ” the Blood of the Palm.”
The cinema, which has been closed for six years, has been rehabilitated by the General Organization for Cinema and equipped with modern projectors equivalent to the most important international cinemas.
Culture Minister Mohammed Al-Ahmed said in a statement to Syriatimes “ Al-Kindi Cinema is back to open its doors again to cinema lovers, especially that it is the only cinema currently in Lattakia” , stressing that the history of Al-Kindi cinema represents a deep memory and a special case of communication and lasting love.
On his part , Najdat Ismail Anzour, director of “ the Blood of Palm, expressed his happiness at presenting the film for the first time in Latakia in conjunction with the opening of the Al-Kindi cinema , stressing that the audience in Lattakia needs a cinema through which it can see the distinguished Syrian cinematography, especially the works produced by the Ministry of Culture, which tried to create a cinematic memory of the war by producing many films that highlight the heroic and brave achievements of the Syrian Arab Army soldiers.
It is worth mentioning that a number of artists, writers, researchers, and thinkers were honored in appreciation of their contribution to the Syrian culture.
Cultural and heritage symposiums , lectures, poetry evenings, cinematic and theatrical performances, artistic and folk parties, children and adolescents’ activities, and interactive sessions are due to be held during the six-days cultural festivity which takes place in most of the cultural centers in Lattakia.
Interviewed by : Rawaa Ghanam
Photos by: Rawaa Ghanam
