On Saturday 25 May 2024, the Syriac Library of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s General Directorate of Syriac Culture and Arts’ opened the Third Annual Open Book Fair’s activities under the slogan: “Cultural Diversity… a Tribute to Life,” in its usual location near the Syriac Heritage Museum in Erbil Governorate’s Ankawa district.
The Fair began its activities with the opening of its various pavilions, then a speech was given by Syriac Library Director Fayhaa Shamoun, in which she stressed that: “Our Fair today calls us all to a constructive human culture. It is an invitation to open doors and windows to the active winds of diversity and to celebrate living thought, joyful knowledge, and sparkling creativity,” pointing out that, “Our Fair was born small and became a distinctive mark in the cultural life of our beloved town of Ankawa, and thus reflects the development of our cultural life.”
This was followed by a speech by Director General of Syriac Culture and Arts Kaldo Ramzi Oghanna, in which he stressed that: “This cultural event, in addition to displaying books, is a platform for communication with Syriac writers and intellectuals, publishing houses, libraries, and cultural institutions, and it is a permanent forum not only for our writers and intellectuals, but for all those interested in issues of diversity and acceptance of others. Therefore, this year’s slogan was titled: ‘Cultural Diversity… a Tribute to Life.’”
Oghanna added, “This third Open Book Fair is more distinguished and has the widest participation than ever before, as it extends for three continuous days in a diverse cultural demonstration with its intellectual activities and seminars. In it, a large space has been allocated to important topics such as women, artificial intelligence, and hate speech. This year’s Fair was also distinguished by a remarkable presence – from Nineveh, Baghdad and Lebanon.”
Oghanna announced during his speech that this year’s Fair honours author Habib Afram, who comes from Lebanon, with the Golden Syriac Creativity Award, in celebration of his distinguished intellectual achievements. This will be an annual honour, launched by the General Directorate of Syriac Culture and Arts this year, to celebrate the achievements of a distinguished figure in the field of culture, literature, and arts.
After these speeches were delivered, a ceremony was held to honour the head of the Syriac League in Lebanon, Malfono Habib Afram, with the Golden Syriac Creativity Award that was presented to him by the Regional Government’s Deputy Culture and Youth Minister Aryan Salah al-Din, in addition to signing the fourth edition of his book, “Christians of the East: The Choice to Survive and the Will to Hope.” This was in the presence of the Regional Government’s Transport and Communications Minister Anu Jawhar Abdoka, and was moderated by distinguished media personality Shimon Matti, who described him as a thinker who has dedicated his will to strengthening the composure of Eastern Christians. With all merit, he has confronted those who perceive the East’s Christian presence as a concern, and has presented conclusive evidence that the East’s Christians are not asking for protection, but rather for the rights that have been usurped by others who wish to desertify them, despite all the deep historical and civilisational roots which they have possessed in this region since the dawn of generations.
After that, the band of the Ornina Arts Academy performed an artistic piece, and the audience interacted with its tunes. This was then followed by a dialogue session moderated by media personality Ophelia Tahir and in which Dr. Sarah Nizar, media personality Surra al-Khafaji and writer Jumanah Mumtaz participated, focusing on: “The Media between Diversity and Influence.”
The first day concluded its activities with a singing performance by the Ornina Arts Academy band.
It is worth noting that the Third Annual Open Book Fair will be held from May 25 to 27, and its activities include dialogue sessions and various artistic and singing segments.
