Syrian Forum for Culture holds its first heritage festival 

Under the title “ our heritage is our legacy “ The Syrian Forum for Culture held its  open-air first heritage festival in “ Al-Batrni”  traditional park in Latakia Province  in cooperation with Lattakia’s Directorate of culture and the city council there.

The cultural event included many different artistic activities from the Syrian and Palestinian heritage including  paintings,  traditional handmade works , traditional songs and acting  performances , poetry ,  in addition to honoring a number of Syrian and Palestinian intellectual and artistic figures .

Director of the Syrian forum for culture the poetess Wadi’a Darwish said in a statement to the Syriatimes : “Heritage is the memory and identity of societies and peoples, and preserving the  cultural heritage of each society is what links the past, present and future for centuries to come”.

“ Preserving the heritage is a national duty. It is noted that heritage is increasingly threatened with destruction; This is due to the natural factors of deterioration, along with a set of changing economic and social conditions that lead to greater damage and destruction of this heritage” according to Darwish.

The poetess stressed  this festival  aims at reviving heritage  and raising awareness about the importance of preserving tangible and intangible heritage, indicating that

that the forum constantly holds different kinds of cultural activities with the aim of  reactivating the cultural movement .

The participant Mirna Al-Heloustressed to Syriatimes that one of the most important ways to preserve heritage is to introduce it to  the new generation in different ways due to its key rolein consolidating  social cohesion, promoting peace  and  helps the continuity of society, and  enhancing the  cultural identity of various civilizations.

Mrs. Al-Helou , who is a  volunteer in several associations to carry out several training courses on traditional hand made crafts , said “ I seek through my artistic works  to revive heritage, especially the ancient heritage crafts that Syria is famous for through my participation in several exhibitions”.

She added “My artworks  in the exhibition included embroidery, accessories, dolls for children, embroidered artworks to give positive energy, decorative works for homes and other things made from recycled wood and plastic.

“ Our Heritage is our legacy” festival  was distinguished by the participation of the Jerusalem Forum for Culture through the “ Al-Qiameh” musical band.

The Palestinian poet Muhammad Za’arour, Head of the “ Qiameh”  Band, said that “ the Syrians and the Palestinians are one people.We are subjected to a systematic attempts  to obliterate our identity. We are in need of  any platform to address  the world a message that we are the owners of this land and that we have our identity, our history and our ancient heritage”.

He indicated that the band  presented  a number of  Syrian and Palestinian heritage songs , stressing  art is the weapon and the soldier on the battlefield defending the nation and its culture.

The poet Za’arour pointed out that “the easiest way to reach the world is art. Music is the common language of the world and contributes to the revitalization of heritage and culture. We must confront any  with any weapon, even music  to achieve the desired goal, which is realizing  peace and justice”.

Interviewed by :RawaaGhanam

Photos by :RawaaGhanam