“Heritage of the Ancestors” Festival kicks off in Tartous
Within the framework of highlighting Syrian deep-rooted tangible and intangible heritage , activities of the entitled “Heritage of the Ancestors” Festival kicked off on Wednesday at the Cultural Palace in the city of Safita in Tartous Governorate.
The cultural event included a variety of artistic performances and an exhibition that displayed hundreds of heritage pieces and tools.
Director of the Cultural Palace Rania Abdel Latif said in a statement to SANA that the exhibition aims at raising awareness about the country’s tangible and intangible heritage and the richness of the Syrian coast with heritage collectibles.
The participant in the exhibition, Rafiq al-Qaht, stressed the importance of preserving and introducing heritage artifacts to the young generation, and the necessity of holding exhibitions and symposiums on these artifacts, pointing out that he had collected many of these artifacts a long time ago.
The craftswoman, Daad Da’oud, participated in the festival with works of bamboo and wheat straw handicrafts , which she has been practicing for seven years, and they are considered traditional products in the region.
In turn, Ikram Habib’s participation came through a wooden weaving loom for making rugs. She indicated that through handicrafts she managed to recycle fabrics and wool and form pieces for decoration, which constitutes a source of income for her.
A group of young men and women held a traditional wedding ceremony , which constitutes one of the intangible heritage sites of the Syrian coast, by chanting some folk songs and dances.
Hassan Youssef, who participated in the wedding by playing the rababa( lute-like instrument played with a bow), indicated that the wedding in the past was the gathering of loved ones and friends, while the young woman, Nour Muhammad, who embodied the role of the bride, expressed her admiration for this event within the festival, which depended on simplicity in presenting the heritage of the region.
Rawaa Ghanam