On Sunday 14 July 2024, the Director General of Syriac Culture and Arts, Kaldo Ramzi Oghanna, received British Ambassador to Iraq Stephen Hitchen, accompanied by British Consul in Erbil Andrew Paisley, at the Syriac Heritage Museum’s building in Ankawa District Centre. This was in the presence of Syriac Heritage and Museum Dicrector Bernard Youssef.
In his speech, the Director General touched on the cultural programs and activities organised by the General Directorate of Syriac Culture and Arts, as well as the programs implemented by the Syriac Heritage Museum, where the two parties discussed future prospects for joint cooperation.
After the visiting delegation toured the museum’s corridors and viewed its heritage holdings, British Ambassador Stephen Hitchen recorded his observations in the museum’s visit log, in which he stressed that, “The history of your people is long and distinguished, but it is also tragic,” indicating that, “We in the United Kingdom do not forget your bravery in the First World War as ‘our smallest ally.'”
Hitchin added, “We hope and pray for better times. It is wonderful that you are working so hard to preserve your culture, and to remember your stories.”
At the visit’s conclusion, the Director General of Syriac Culture and Arts presented His Excellency the Ambassador a handmade wall carpet woven with an image of the winged bull “Lamassu,” one of our people’s heritage and cultural symbols throughout history.
