Damascus, (ST) - The exhibition hosted by the Arab Cultural Center in al-Adawi, under the title “Female Melodies” by Sawsan Haj Ibrahim depicts woman with colors of serenity and purity.

The exhibition included approximately 50 multi-topic paintings with women as a major theme in an expressive and abstract style.

With the aim of promoting their products, women from 20 civil societies have participated in a two-day bazaar in "Four Seasons Hotel" in Damascus.

 The activity was held with the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and it showed handicraft works, including crochet, embroidery, accessories, and the manufacture of sweets.

"To be or not to be is what I will prove to myself and society." This is what Ms. Amina Al Ali, 45 year, said after she successfully completed the first course of the literacy program and enrolled in the second level to fulfill her dream to continue her studies and help her children after the martyrdom of her husband.

She added that she has not been able to learn because of her harsh social conditions, but today she is more determined to go this way and continue her life naturally and find suitable work.

The  three day handicraft exhibition  which was opened on Saturday evening, (December 28), at the Arab culture center in Abou Rumaneh in Damascus showed embroideries plus crochet works, accessories for houses and decoration made by a group of ladies.

“Project for offering support” and "Lamet Amal" association for children with special needs associations displayed wonderful handicraft works.

Kinda al-Homsi who participated in the event told -Syriatimes that “the goal of participating in this activity is to display distinguished hand works”. The exhibition is a chance to show and promote our works, and it's an opportunity to prove that women are able to develop their own projects. "

“We (ladies) participate in this exhibition to brief people on handworks. We displayed our works via social media .However this time we showed our handcrafts directly to the visitors”, al-Homsi added.

Rihab al-Khuja, the exhibition organizer referred to the importance of the event as it supports skills of the Syrian women.

"Women of Syria have got used to being patient throughout the years of the crisis(started in 2011) and continue to make hand designs that show all they have to serve their community" Rihab said.

'Works and handicrafts which are made by children of special needs in the expo send a message to people that they can be effective producers in society" she added.

"Also, there are hand products for trained martyr's mothers to show their products and we have to encourage women who are talented and able to produce handcrafts “Rihab added.

Many visitors were attracted by the beauty and diversity of works.

Interviewed by: Nada Haj Khidr

A new achievement recorded by people with disabilities in Syria, Hoda Haitham Mohamed, the student who discussed her first master’s thesis in sign language and obtained a degree of excellence with honor level.

In the Faculty of Arts at Damascus University, Huda discussed her message which is titled (Social and Behavioral Problems of Children with Hearing Disabilities), and passed her “deafness and dumbness” with language of sign, will, determination, and support of her family and friends.

The study was conducted at the Institute of Hearing Disability in Damascus, and presented a set of suggestions for the professionals under this category to improve their services and to design treatment and counseling programs to alleviate the problems which is facing them and help parents in adopting specific methods to deal with their children problems.