The General Directorate of Syriac Culture and Arts, in cooperation with the Syriac Writers and Authors Union, held a celebration on the morning of Sunday, November 1, 2026, marking the 177th anniversary of the publication of the first Syriac newspaper, titled Zahrire d-Bahra, meaning “Rays of Light.” The event took place at the Hixson Hotel Hall in Ankawa, Erbil.
The ceremony opened with a minute of silence in memory of the martyrs of Syriac journalism, the martyrs of the homeland, and those who sacrificed their lives for freedom of expression. This was followed by a speech delivered by the Director General of Syriac Culture and Arts, Mr. Van Shawqi Gilyana, who extended his congratulations and appreciation to journalists, media professionals, and writers working in Syriac journalism. He highlighted the importance of the press in preserving the heritage and culture of our community, emphasizing the need to support journalists’ freedom and safeguard their rights in the country.
The President of the Syriac Writers and Authors Union, literary figure Akad Murad, then delivered a speech addressing the circumstances surrounding the establishment of Syriac journalism and the most significant milestones that have shaped its journey over the past 177 years.
This was followed by a speech from Mr. Azad Hamad Amin, President of the Kurdistan Journalists Syndicate, on the occasion, highlighting the press of the various components of the Kurdistan Region. Subsequently, the Minister of Transport and Communications in the Kurdistan Regional Government, Mr. Ano Jawhar Abdoka, delivered a speech emphasizing the Regional Government’s role in supporting national languages and the cultures of the diverse communities living together in the Region.
A short film about Syriac journalism, directed by Ayad Jabbar, was then screened. This was followed by a panel discussion entitled “Syriac Journalism and the New Generation,” moderated by media professional Dilan Azmat, with the participation of media professionals Maryam Youmaran and Andy Sulaqa.
The Syriac Arts Troupe then presented a series of artistic performances inspired by the traditional folklore of our community, under the supervision of Mr. Frank Fareed Yousif.
The ceremony concluded with the honoring of a distinguished group of journalists and media professionals working in Syriac journalism and representing various media outlets, in recognition of their media contributions and achievements. The honorees included: Mal Allah Faraj, Butros Hormuz Nabati, Rawand Boulos, Vian Jalal Marqus, Patricia Ibrahim, Jack Anouya, Sabri Ishaq, Samer Saeed, Dawood Yukhanna, Jwan Yousif Shaba, Manal Abouna, Fabian Nouel, Steven Habib, Albert Yuwaris, Ragheb Elias, Klawa Jawdat Rezko, Amir Touma Bouya, Richard George, Odisho Aishi, and Hani Matti Najib.
Following the honoring ceremony, an exhibition of Syriac publications was inaugurated on the sidelines of the celebration, organized by the Syriac Culture Library in cooperation with the Syriac Writers and Authors Union.
It is worth noting that our community celebrates Syriac Press Day in commemoration of the publication of the first newspaper in the Syriac language, titled Zahrire d-Bahra (“Rays of Light”), whose first issue was published on November 1, 1849, in the city of Urmia, in present-day Iran.
