Towards Peace: Art Initiative by St. Ephrem Patriarchal Choir

Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate – 30/11/18

His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II attended the closing ceremony of the initiative “Towards Peace” organized by St. Ephrem Patriarchal Choir, and held at Dar El Assad Opera House in Damascus.

His Holiness took a tour at the “Art for Peace” exhibition where pieces of arts, namely paintings, and visual art items, were displayed by the participants of the competition organized the initiative “Towards Peace” in poetry, music, drawing, painting and visual art, under the title “Art for Peace”.

Then, His Holiness attended the performance of St. Ephrem Patriarchal Choir who sang different songs on peace, nostalgia, forgiveness, reconciliation as well as traditional songs from different parts of Syria.

In his speech, His Holiness congratulated the Choir for their great work, and emphasized the importance of this initiative in bringing together the Syrian people in celebrating art for peace. He talked about peace, not only as contrasted with war and destruction, but as a gift from God to all human beings. He stressed the fact that peace is an innate right to all people and that it is the greatest crime of all to deprive someone from their peace. In concluding his speech, His Holiness reminded that it is our mission to preserve our peace and to build peace in our societies, not waiting for others to give it to us.

At the end of the ceremony, His Holiness distributed trophies for the winners in the competition “Art for Peace”.

His Holiness was accompanied by Very. Rev. Raban Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Secretary and Media Office Director.

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