A Syrian diplomat has written a book entitled 'Syria 1916-1946.. Way to Freedom' in order to document mandate period and to answer the following question: Have Syrian people achieved freedom by olive branch only?

Walid al-Moallem, Minister of Expatriates and Foreign Affairs, has explained in his book results of Sykes-Picot Agreement, the mandate for Syria and other agreements signed to draw artificial boundaries that has nothing to do with historical and geographical facts.

He said in the preface that the book is an open invitation to historians and analysts to record and analyze this period [ 1916-1946]from Syrian history as it is impossible to understand the present without reading the past.

"It is an attempt to answer essential question: have Syrian people achieved freedom by olive branch only? Was independence realized as a result of international situation then? Or it was  the inevitable result of Syrian people's struggle against occupation?" al-Moallem added.

The 702-page book  was recently issued by the Syrian Book General Commission, according to the 'Thawra' newspaper.

 The Danish Institute in Damascus in coordination with Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies (ToRS) in Copenhagen University and Orbis publishing house has issued a book entitled 'Eyes on Syria'.

The 144-page book comes within efforts being exerted by Syrian and world heritage experts to shed light on Syria's deep-rooted history that has faced heavy losses over the past six years caused by armed terrorist gangs'  attacks, according to Tishreen newspaper.

 Information Minister honors al-Muhannad Kalthoum, director of award-winning film ‘Jasmine’

 Information Minister Mohammad Ramez Tourjman honored on Monday the Director al-Muhannad Kalthoum in appreciation for his creativity in directing, particularly in his last film ‘Jasmine’.

In a press statement following the honoring ceremony, the minister said that Jasmine film which won a number of awards is a message from Syrian children to the entire world and an outcry against those who turn a blind eye to the acts of terrorist organizations which have been exploiting children in suicide bombings.

He affirmed the role of Syrian youths under the current war in sending out the right message, SANA reported.

The minister said that the film conveyed the message of Syrian children and people who believe in the Syrian Arab Army as the main and basic savior of Syrians, adding that thanks to martyrs’ sacrifices, all Syrian areas will restore stability.

He pointed out that the Syrian drama, especially films, is one of the main pillars of the media and a voice of national media that can lay bare the disinformation campaigns against Syria.

In turn, Kalthoum expressed his appreciation for the honoring which is no less important than the honoring he received abroad, adding that the Syrians are always honored by the victories of Syrian Arab Army and its sacrifices to preserve the Syrian identity.

‘Jasmine’ participated in more than 20 international and Arabic festivals during 2016 and won several awards.

Presidential Political and Media Advisor Dr. Bouthaina Shaaban has underscored the need to strengthen cooperation between research centers and researchers in the Arab world in order to bridge the gap between real Arab history and history written by the enemies about our region and causes.

She told reporters following a symposium held Thursday in Damascus that it is important to write Arab history in different  languages because it is part and parcel of our steadfastness and resistance against western and Zionist plots that target Arab countries.

The advisor clarified that the former US Secretary of State Warren Christopher ignored very important facts in his diary about negotiations with the late President Hafez al-Assad.

Participants in the scientific conference, kicked off Saturday in Damascus under the slogan 'New Visions and Proposals to Revive Syrian Heritage', have called for setting up a Web database to publish Syrian archeological documents and carrying out rescue works for heritage in coordination with concerned Syria institutes.

They also underlined the need to use a new method in archeological research and to gear up for post-war period.

Head of the Ebla archeological mission Prof. Paolo Matthiae talked about the main principles of rehabilitating word heritage, asserting the importance of respecting Syria's sovereignty during rescue works as it is a member of the United Nation and UNESCO.