On October 30, 2023, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II attended a reception held for the handover of the Intercultural Achievement Award, upon the invitation of His Excellency Dr. Peter Krois, Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of Austria in Syria, at the Austrian Embassy in Damascus, Syria.
His Holiness was accompanied by their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Assistant, Mor Andrawos Bahhi, Patriarchal Vicar for Youth Affairs and Christian Education, and a delegation from the program of the Preservation of Christian Heritage.
His Excellency Dr. Peter Krois welcomed the guests and first addressed the very difficult context that is happening in the immediate neighbourhood followed by a moment of silence.
Then he explained the award which is given by the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs in recognition of the achievements of projects submitted from different countries. He spoke about the great honor that a team from Syria was able to win the award amidst strong competition and how encouraging and positive it is to see how young people are still full of hope and hard work.
His Eminence Archbishop Mor Andrawos Bahhi received the award on behalf of the Patriarchal Youth Department which is managing and executing the project. He spoke about the different stages of the work and the results of the preservation of the Unregistered Christian Heritage.
The ceremony was attended by Representatives of diplomatic missions in Damascus as well as arts and culture followed by a reception offered by the Austrian Embassy in honor of the event.
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