The Syrian Historical Society in Homs celebrates its founding day

A documentary film, an art and documentary exhibition, and honoring a number of personalities are among the activities included in the celebration held by the Syrian Historical Society in Homs today, on the golden anniversary of its founding.

At the beginning of the celebration, a documentary film was shown highlighting the archaeological headquarters of the Society, which dates back to 1873 AD, in addition to the most important cultural and heritage events and activities that it witnessed, as well as the rehabilitation process of its headquarters, which was destroyed during the terrorist war on Syria.

The Society’s hall hosted an exhibition that included a number of heritage photographs of the historical buildings and sites in Homs and Syria in general, in addition to the Society’s publications, old stamps, coins, paintings and sculptures of a number of artists.

The journalist and writer Muhammad Khair Al-Kilani narrated a story from the Homsi heritage in an interesting style about choosing a bride. The story was written by a French writer and journalist named “Alice Polo,” who visited Homs in 1926 and was acquainted with the details of customs and social life in the city.

Several poems were recited that depict the beauty of Homs and the longing of its expatriate sons for the city’s black stones.

A number of the association’s founders and supporters were honored by distributing certificates of thanks to them, including Muhammad Yasser Bitar, Eyad Al-Sibai, Labib al-Ikhwan and others who left a positive touch on the progress of the work and activities of the association.

Plastic artist Ibrahim Salama says, “I participated with some of the paintings I drew with clay, which represents heritage paintings of various historical eras.

Engineer Amer Al-Sibai, head of the Heritage Committee in the Engineers Syndicate branch in Homs, said, “The Historical Society has worked during the past decades to revive the memory of generations about our past and rich heritage,” highlighting  the close cooperation between the Committee and the Society.

The two-day celebration was organized in cooperation with the Directorate of Tourism, the Committee for the Protection of the Old City of Homs, the Department of Antiquities and the Directorate of Social Affairs.

Amal Farhat