History

Today, Akitu is mainly celebrated by the Assyrian/Aramaean identifying community, Chaldeans (Catholic Assyrians), and all Syrian and Iraqi Christians following the Syriac Orthodox & Catholic churches. It is also significant to many Alawites & Ismailis in the country (altogether, these communities form between 20-30% of Syria).

Our ancestors across the region recognized the importance of celebrating life, renewal, and our fertile lands. Syria today seems to be the antithesis of that, many of our people are desperate for a life worth celebrating, but we remember the many Syrians both in and out of the country who are doing their part in a strive for a better Syria.

Akitu Brikho (Syriac for Blessed Akitu) to every one of those Syrians whose love for our land, history, and belief in our people in spite of everything, never withers away.

“The Syrian Orontes (river) has long been discharging into the Tiber (of Italy), carrying with it its language and morals and slanting strings, complete with piper, not to speak of its native timbrels.” -Juvenal, an ancient Roman poet.

The Lira is Syria’s official currency. It has evolved numerous times with the changes that Syria and the region in general went through from the late Ottoman era, to the French Mandate, to foreign interventions through to independence, and its usage began in 1948.

The story of a revolutionary Damascene woman. Nazik Al Abid reminds us how damaging patriarchal oppressive customs hinder us from any progress, how feminism not only empowers women, but creates a just society. Her struggle for a better Syria, which largely was achieved at the time, did not come without the pointing fingers of insecure men and women who were too intimidated by her. We remember her legacy today with the current state of Syria as we have much to improve and many voices and issues that have been ignored.

This article tells the story of Soraya Tarzi, the first Queen of Afghanistan and a pioneer of civil rights. She was born in Damascus to a progressive father and a Syrian mother. She married Prince Amanullah Khan, who became the King of Afghanistan in 1919. Together, they introduced many reforms to modernize Afghan society, such as education for girls, women’s rights, and separation of religion and state. However, they faced resistance from conservative forces and had to leave the country in 1929. Soraya died in exile in 1968, but her legacy lives on.

How did a young Syrian man who moved to Istanbul in 1873 start a culinary revolution that would span continents and cultures? Discover the story of Siddeeq Khabbaz, the founder of the first Shawerma restaurant in Syria, and how his legacy lives on in every bite of this mouthwatering dish.

A further testament to the cultural and historical significance of Syria. We explore some of the features of the Notre-Dame in Paris that surprisingly have origins in Syria. The information is based on the 2019 writings of Middle East researcher Diana Darke.

Louris Maher was a pioneer of Syrian medicine and feminism. She not only became the first Syrian woman doctor in 1936, but also published books, founded a baby food factory, and defied the oppressive norms of her time. Her story is an inspiration for all Syrians who aspire for a better and more equal future.

Maté is a serious love to many Syrians, especially those from Sweida, the Coast & the Qalamoun Mountains area. But how did this South American drink get into Syrian hands?

Al Ma’arri was a genius ahead of his time who deserves immeasurable respect, and regardless of what is thought of him, we should be proud of a fellow Syrian that expressed the importance of challenging the status quo and the freedom of expression.