W.C

Do You Know?

Do you know that large old gates which have small door inside, like in the picture above are called “Bab Khokha”? The funny thing is; the word “Khokha” has a different meaning in Arabic which has nothing to do with doors, it is (plum)! Weird, isn’t it?

The Museum Of Dair Atiah

“ Deir Atiah, which is known for its beautiful environment, fresh water, fertile fields, and soft air, is also known for its loyal, mindful, and active inhabitants. The Museum of Deir Atiah is in fact a live symbol of the generosity and sacrifices that it takes to preserve the national heritage and customs. It has been gathered in its distinguished five buildings and a garden that is designed as an open-air museum that kept from decay true and valuable evidence from local memory that serves as witness to the pedigree and notability of the inhabitants of the region. Their creativeness is well displayed in the field of agriculture, industry, trade, handicrafts, different types of arts like arms, coins, trinkets, stamps, painting, and some other articles from the quotidian life that are also proofs of this creativeness. Moreover, the museum contains finds that were uncovered during excavations in Damascus Countryside Governorate, especially Yabroud, with material dating back to the prehistoric, bronze, Classic, and Arab-Islamic periods. In addition, it contains many important archaeological object that were saved from illegal excavators and smugglers. Furthermore, the museum of Deir Atiah is but one link in a long chain of work that the inhabitants of the town have achieved with their own efforts, to protect their local heritage, it is meant to be source of cultural and knowledge, and inspiration symbol to be followed.”

Source:The Musuem of Deir Atiah

Omar al-Farra

A great and a very popular Syrian poet, he was born in 1949 in Palmyra, then he moved to live in Homs, he started writing poetry at the age of thirteen. He now has five divans, four of them are written in colloquial Arabic which is best to read in the Bedouin accent. Desert has a big influence on his poetry, added to it a very nice sense of humor flooding from his soul. He always says that the environment he lived in has contributed in shaping his poetry and that all his poems are based on a real stories to the extent that most of his friends and surroundings might know the heroes he writes about even by their names too, so he usually starts his poems by telling the story behind them which is very entertaining and interesting to hear.
One of his most famous poem is ”Hamda”, where he speaks about a rebellious Bedouin female who refuses to marry her cousin according to her tribe customs and so she was killed for her refusal, after her death people claimed that they still could hear her voice yelling “I don’t want to marry you”.

To hear one of my favorite poem by him Click Here. It is called Al-Watan (Homeland), before he starts reciting it, he always asserts that one’s soul can’t rest at peace after death unless it’s buried at homeland.

Wish you enjoy it.