Celebrating the Soul of Mesopotamia at Language Festival 2026
At the Language Festival 2026 in the west of Naarm, Melbourne, Tawasul Foundation was proud to showcase the enduring beauty of the Syriac language. Our participation in this event is a key part of our Art & Culture pillar, where we celebrate the literary traditions that shape our diverse community.
A Tribute to Malfan Yonan Hozaya
Our presentation was a tribute to the late Malfan Yonan Hozaya, a distinguished writer, and poet, and a fierce advocate for linguistic survival. The highlight of our session was a reading by Nisha Hozaya, who performed Hozaya’s poetry in Surith (Syriac or Neo-Aramaic) the ancient language spoken in Mesopotamia for millennia, served as a powerful bridge between our ancient past and our living future.
Building Harmony Through Literature
The feedback from the festival was incredibly positive, with our presentation engaging a wide audience and sparking significant interest in Syriac literature. This initiative is central to Tawasul’s commitment to:
- Promoting Anti-Racism: By elevating minority languages and celebrating their intellectual contributions.
- Harmonious Living: Using the intersection of art and history to create a shared space for all cultures.
- Language Preservation: Recognising that protecting a language is essential to protecting the spirit of a people.
We believe that when communities come together to share their mother tongues, they are successfully cross-cultural barriers and foster mutual respect.
