Syria and Brazil  means to strengthen the relationship between them in Symposium  in Damascus

The Directorate of Culture in Damascus, in cooperation with the Brazilian Embassy in Damascus, held a symposium entitled “Syria and Brazil and means to strengthen the relationship between them” on Monday with the participation of the Ambassador of brazil in Damascus Mr. André Santos, and Dr. Rafla Elias Kardos, the Honorary Consul of Brazil in Damascus

His Excellency, Ambassador of Brazil in Damascus, André Santos said that going over the history of the relations between these two countries, the origins of the friendship between Syrians and Brazilians date from the late nineteenth century, when a significant part of Levant was still under the Ottoman Empire. Led by domestic issues, the first and the subsequent waves of Syrian descendants throughout the entire Brazilian territory, Sao Paulo remains the core of the Syrian Diaspora in Brazil.

‘At the beginning of the twentieth century, the expression “Win-win partnership” was not yet in use, but that’s exactly  how it is possible to describe the saga of the first Syrian immigrants to Brazil: They worked hard, quite a few of them became rich, sent money to their families back home and, in process, helped Brazil’s development. As it is well known, the Syrian immigrants and their descendants, along with immigrants from  other regions of the world, were key to the evolution of the Brazilian trade and industry, which took place throughout the last century” his Excellency added .

‘Identifying the opportunities of establishing “win-win partnership”, both in the private and governmental areas, and  then acting upon them, searching for the best way to implement those projects are, in my opinion, one of the most important building blocks when trying to consolidate relations between two countries.’

The Embassy of Brazil in Damascus, as an operational arm of the Brazilian government, has among other tasks, the goal of strengthening the relations between Brazil and Syria. However, like any other agent or institution, it is constrained  by material and human resources, and also by myriad factors outside its control, such as geography, history, culture, politics, propaganda, etc. Mr. André Santos said.

“Last year the Embassy organized an exhibition by Brazilian painter Dolino, at the National Museum. Dolino was enchanted by what he saw and felt during his stay in Damascus, that he introduced me to the director of TV Cultura, A Brazilian TV channel specialized in the coverage and promotion of cultural events and manifestations, so that a TV documentary about Syria’s cultural heritage can be produced and exhibited in Brazil. This project is in its initial stages.

Also, last Year, the Embassy organized a musical event at the Damascus Opera House, with the participation of three Brazilian  musicians- one conductor and two singers- and the Syria National Orchestra.  As the result of this experience, the Syrian Maestro Misak Baghbudryan will  conduct a concert at the end of this Year at Rio de Janeiro , and the three Brazilian musicians who have became  “informal ambassadors” of Syria where they live, want to return to Damascus for new experience with Syrian musicians.“

His Excellency , Mr.André Santos  continued saying  :”Outside the cultural métier, I firmly believe that high level State visits are always the best way to accelerate the process of consolidating the bilateral relations. That’s why I have been working with my colleagues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Brazil to promote bilateral visits of Brazilian officials to Syria .

In his part  the Honorary Consul of Brazil Damascus, Dr. Rafla Elias Kardos talked about the history of immigration to Brazil and the history of relations between the Mediterranean countries and Brazil ,then he talked about the Syrian community in Brazil.

He said that the Syrian community in Brazil is one of the largest Arab communities, and there are Syrian poets, writers, and doctors whose fame has transcended national borders. He added that there are more than 350 charitable societies, social organizations, orphan homes, and shelters for the elderly, and they provide their services to Brazilians and members of the Syrian community, such as the Syrian Sports Club, the Syrian Cultural Center, the Syrian Orphanage, the Syrian Hospital for Heart Diseases, and the Syrian Islamic Center. He added that the Syrian community plays a very important role in Brazilian economic life at the agricultural and industrial levels, and it has not hesitated to support the Syrian positions politically and socially.

Reported by : Nada Haj Khidr