Homs-Sana
The activities of the first Mar Barsoum Festival started today in the village of Hafr in the southeastern countryside of Homs, which is held by the Diocese of Homs, Hama, Tartous and their Dependencies for the Syriac Orthodox, entitled “Let them have life and have the best” in the presence of official, religious and civil events.
The week-long festival includes an exhibition, a poetry evening, cultural and historical lectures, art concerts, sports, religious and medical activities, and others.
In statements to SANA between the festival director, Father Elias Satah, priest of Mar Barsoum Church in the village of Hafr, that the festival is being held for the first time in the village, coinciding with Saint Barsoum’s Day, and it aims to remind people of the village’s history, its civilizational status, and its intellectual and cultural stature, in addition to bringing joy to the souls of the people.
Father Zuhri Khazal, priest of Umm al-Zinar Church in Homs, explained that the festival is diverse in terms of the activities it includes, and it brings together the people of the village and the expatriates to spread joy in their souls.
The activities of the first day included a diverse exhibition that included a section for plastic paintings with the participation of artists and amateurs, a section for “religious, philosophical, literary and international novels” books, a section for handicrafts, and a section for food made by the women of the village.
Daniel Garbanda indicated that he participated in the art exhibition with five oil and acrylic paintings that embody landscapes and a portrait, while the artist Abdel Latif Abdel Latif, who is believed to have participated in 6 wood burning paintings embodying silent nature and people.
Nima Al-Bitar of the people of Hafr and a participant in three paintings said, “We will remain committed to our homeland and we will cultivate joy, art and originality.” While Mary Mutran of the Mar Barsoum Ladies’ Fraternity and a participant in the Food Department indicated that the festival is an opportunity to create a state of joy and meet loved ones, while the expatriate Talal Dahi said from the audience, “The festival is an opportunity to create a state of joy and meet loved ones.” It reflects the state of security and safety throughout the country.”
The activities of the first day of the festival also included a poetry evening in the church hall, which was started by the teacher Najeeb Jarjour with a poem about the village of Al Hafr, in which he sang his love for the village and his memories there.
The poet Maryam Kader from the town of Sadad presented a sentimental poem entitled “Spring Returns” in which she wove a beautiful picture of the return of safety and joy to the homeland and saluted the soldiers of the homeland.
The poet “Iyad Khazal” presented sentimental, lyrical and patriotic poems, including the poem “In Your Departure”, while the poet “Muhammad Saeed Muhammad Al-Atiq” participated in a group of vertical sentimental poems, including “Prostrating on the Clouds” and “Water Butterfly”, while the poet “Joseph Satah” presented poems from them. In the fountain of poetry, the beach of dreams, and the doves of Damascus.”
Tomorrow, the festival's activities include a historical and heritage symposium, a lecture and a musical evening.
Lara Ahmed