UNESCO organises an evening of Syrian cultural heritage in Brussels

The “Emergency Safeguarding of the Syrian Cultural Heritage” project is a pioneering initiative funded by the European Union and supported by the Government of Flanders and the Austrian Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs. The main objective of the project is to contribute to restoring social cohesion, stability, and sustainable development through the protection and safeguarding of cultural heritage in view of the on-going and growing destruction and loss of Syria's rich and unique cultural heritage.

The 2017 UNESCO survey report on “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Displaced Syrians” highlighted the power of intangible cultural heritage to provide a sense of belonging, strengthen psychological, social and economic resilience, and, in many cases, help mediate conflicts by fostering intercultural communication and mutual appreciation. However, more support is needed to ensure the continued transmission of intangible cultural heritage in the particular circumstances of displacement, which entails encountering a new context and host community.

Intangible cultural heritage is a central part of the identity and memory of an individual and a society. In order to safeguard this rich heritage, it is essential to foster its transmission from generation to generation and to maintain its every day role in society.

The aim of the event is to ensure that this cultural heritage is kept alive and celebrated by Syrians inside and outside the country.

The evening’s program will open with the launch of the book 'Syrian Traditional Music' by Hassan Abbas. This will be followed by a concert with the Ensemble Fawaz Baker and the opening of the exhibition ‘Syrian Living Heritage’ by Houda Kassatly.