LOC22:17
19:17 GMT
(With photos)
DAMASCUS, Jan 19 (KUNA) -- Under the auspices of Syrian President Bashar
al-Assad, the Festivity of Damascus as the Capital of Arab Culture for the
year 2008, officially kicked off on Saturday at al-Assad House for Culture and
Arts.
Among participants in the festival are Qatari Amir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa
Al-Thani, Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Former Lebanese President Emil
Lahoud, and Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa.
In a statement to repotters, Moussa underlined the strong contribution of
Syria to the Arab and Islamic culture.
Moussa said that he would discuss with Syrian officials during his visit
the current preparations for the Arab summit scheduled to be held in March in
Damascus.
He added that he would also discuss the developments in the Arab region,
particularly in Lebanon.
Moussa affirmed that Damascus was and always will be the cradle of Arab
culture and civilization, as history itself proves.
In a statement to Syrian News Agency (SANA), Moussa pointed out that
Damascus has a special place in Arabs' hearts because of its history, with
Arab culture emerging from it and spreading all over the world, carrying with
it the Arab and Islamic civilization that contributed in the evolution of
mankind.
Among those participating in the festival was the Secretary General of Arab
Towns Organization Abdul-Aziz Al-Adsani, President of the Secretariat Arab
Poetry Council Abdul-Aziz Al-Babtain, along with other Arab and Islamic
Ministers of Cultures.
Regarding the festival, the Syrian President stressed importance during the
opening speech that Damascus celebrates this occasion and marks it as a
celebration for creativity in building a complete Arab culture.
Meanwhile, the Secretary General of the "Damascus, Arab Capital of Culture
2008" event Hanan Qassab Hassan affirmed that Damascus has finished all
preparations for launching the event.
In a statement to SANA, Qassab Hassan said that the opening month will
include three opening ceremonies will be followed by various events including
music, fine arts, seminars, publications and theatres, in addition to
continuing events throughout 2008.
The Secretary General stated that there will be an exhibition and a seminar
on heritage, with the seminar discussing heritage from a scientific point of
view while the exhibition will feature Christian iconography and Islamic
manuscripts. (end)
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KUNA 192217 Jan 08NNNN