Monday, April 26, 2010

UNESCO drops Syria a hint.

ARAMAIC WATCH: The Director General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, has brought up Aramaic and Maaloula (Ma'aloula, Malula) in the hearing of Bashar al-Assad, President of Syria:
She pointed out that her talks with President al-Assad underlined the role of education in bolstering social cohesion based on the roots of national identity and historical prospects and aspirations for future. "Syria is such a unique place for laying down bridges that connect history, modern life and the future," she said. Ms. Bokova spoke about her visit to Ma'lula which, she added, is given great attention by President al-Assad "not only for its importance in preserving Aramaic language, but also in order to keep it as a living example of the different cultures and religions which have lived together in tolerance over decades." ...
In other words, Mr. President, how about reopening the Aramaic Language Institute in Maaloula?