Events

Damascus International Fair The Damascus International Fair has been recently inaugurated. The artistic schedule of the fair which will run on the fair's sidelines, include musical evenings, theatrical performances and folklore dance. The Euphrates Festival Preperations are going on to launch the Euphrates Tourist Festival, which will take place at Deir-Ezzor city. The Festival is expected to start at the 22nd of August and will focus on the Bedouin culture in the eastern part of Syria. Lebanon: Festival of Beit-Eddeen The famous Lebanese festival is to start at the 1st of August. It is to mention that this festival is one of the most prestigious musical festivals in the Arab World. This year, the famous Lebanese singer "Fairouz" will give two concerts the 09th & the 10th of August.		The Syrian Festival for Tourism & Shopping The festival will start on the 10th of August 2002 and will last until the 10th of September. It will include artistic, cultural as well as comemrcial activities. The Ministry of tourism will publish a special booklet about this festival as well as listing to the major Syrian places of interest, hotels, restaurants, night clubs and many other useful addresses in Syria. The booklet will be available free of charge at the Syrian airports, land borders and tourist offices. Cinema The cinematic committee of Al-Mahabba Festival has published the schedule of the movies that will be projected during the days of the festival. Al-Mahabba festival is expected to start in next August, in Lattakia. The last days of Ugarit Is the title of a new study made by the Syrian archeologist Mr. Firass Sawwah. The research indicates that the brutal end of this brilliant kingdom (15th century B.C) wasn't because of war but because of a violent earthquake that destroyed the majority of its features. Needless to say that Ugarit is the civilization that offered mankind its first alphabet.
Recommended Reading "The Road from Damascus" is the title of a new book that interset travelers and vacationers who wish to visit, understand and appreciate Syria. The book is written by Scott Davis, a non-muslim, non-Arab American writer who first went to Syria in 1987 in search of adventure and to investigate his government's designation of Syria as a terrorist nation. He was enchanted by the people and their land, and has returned repeatedly, most recently in January of this year for insight in light of the September 11th terrorist attacks. The book presents Syrians as real people with many of the same desires Westerners. Davis uses his humorous adventures and mishaps to present the region's rich history and culture. The book received praises in American and Arab newpapers. You can also read more at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/books/1885942532/103- 9089783-0760621