Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Damascus, SANA –”From Homeland’s Memory” exhibition held at Damascus Citadel provided a precious opportunity to bring Syria’s oldest traditional handicrafts into the spotlight.
45 exhibitors took part in the three-day exhibition, which was organized by the General Establishment for Exhibitions and International Markets in cooperation with the General Union of Syrian Craftsmen.
The showcased objects included handmade mosaic, sea shell, Ajami, brocar and silk items, in addition to drawing on glass, engraving on copper, embroidery, weaving, basketry, leather products, ceramics, bags, potteries and documentary works such as photographs, stamps and medals dating back to the 1950s.
Director of General Establishment for Exhibitions and International Markets, Fares Kartli said that the location of the exhibition was carefully chosen since the Citadel of Damascus gives a living testimony on Syria’s civilization and historical heritage.
The participants underlined the importance of this exhibition in preserving and documenting the Syrian heritage as a reminder of the Syrian craftsmen’s creativity over thousands of years.
Representative of the General Union of Craftsmen, Khaldoun Messotti revealed that some master craftsmen and local heritage association are preparing to enter the Guinness World Record with a large number of stunning Syrian handmade products to show the world the successive civilizations of Syria and the creativity of its people despite all circumstances.
The participants called for raising children’s awareness through mass media and the National Heritage Office to enable them to get acquainted with the heritage of their grandfathers since these artworks represent a memory of their homeland, and demanding to establish an academy to teach traditional handicrafts in order to protect them from extinction.
R. Raslan / Ghossoun
