Damascus-Islamic Tourism
In a historical scene on the coast of the Syrian city of Taratus, at the waterfront of the Old City, there was a reinactment of the merchant fleets coming from the west, through the Mediterranean, to meet the caravans coming from the east, through Bilad Al-Sham, to renew the meeting between east and west on this blessed land, Syria.
This was the opening scene of the Third Silk Road Festival, attended by hundreds of Arab and foreign journalists, who came to join the Syrian people on International Tourism Day.
Art and culture featured prominanently in the festival this year. Many folklore groups came from friendly states. There were many exhibitions of pictures, fine art, crafts and silk making. There were several sports activities, such as marathon running and boat races. There was also a seafood festival, the delicacy for which Taratus is famous.
The Minister of Tourism, Dr. Saadallah Al-Qala’a, held a press conference to emphasise the unique location of Syria which enabled it to become a centre for commercial and cultural exchanges. He expressed his wish that tourists will come again from east and west to meet in Syria as they did in the past. He also mentioned that five cities took part in this year’s festival: Taratus, Aleppo, Hams, Lathiqiah and Damascus and featured different tourist attractions. He added that a new board for promoting tourism would be set up.
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