Sweida Heritage Festival highlights multiple elements from the folklore

Sweida (ST): Multiple elements from the tangible and intangible heritage in Jabal Al-Arab were evoked by the Seventh Folklore Festival, whose activities were launched at the Culture Palace in the city of Sweida, as part of the celebration of the Syrian Culture Days, held under the title Culture, Authenticity and Renewal.

On its first day, the festival included a traditional theatrical performance entitled “The Intruder” presented by the Zaman Group for Heritage and Art in cooperation with the Syrian Scheherazade Dance Theater Company, written by the writer Mansour Harb Henedy, directed by Tayseer Al-Abbas and supervised by the head of the Folk Heritage Department in the Directorate of Culture, Rabia Ghanem.

The theatrical performance was accompanied by artistic, lyrical and dance performances from folklore and folk poems that reflect the authenticity of the city’s  customs and traditions.

The festival activities also included an exhibition of collectibles from the material heritage by Ghazi Hamza, including agricultural tools, copper utensils, pottery, old glass, traditional clothes, a group of traditional art paintings depicting the heritage scene and its rituals, a number of symbols of the national struggle and others.

Sweida Culture Director Basil Al-Henawi explained in a statement to news reporter that the festival confirms the Ministry of Culture’s interest in folklore and cultural heritage and the need to preserve it, adhere to the noble civilizational and human customs and values, and highlight the importance of heritage and keep it present in the memory of generations as one of the components of the national cultural identity of the Syrian people and an important part of the humanitarian heritage.

K.Q.