Eid Heritage initiative launched in al-Jahez Park

Dar al-Orfi, in cooperation with the Culture Ministry, launched the "Eid Heritage" initiative in al-Jahez Park in Damascus. The initiative, carried out with the help of volunteers from Damascus Unvieristy, included performances by al-Kharrat troupe for "Maylawiya" or Sufi whirling, a form of religious active physical meditation that involves spinning, its performers being commonly known as spinning dervishes in the west. Other activities including traditional horsemanship performances similar to dressage by three riders who performed to the tune of the song "al-Cham al-Adiya" by Assi al-Hellani, in addition to a "hakawati" or traditional storyteller who related a story about Juha, a traditional comic character based on a historical figure known for his wit and quirky sense of humor. The initiative also featured a traditional lightbox puppet show depicting scenes of Syrian cities and archeological sites, concluding by giving gifts to participating children. Hussein al-Orfi, owner of Dar al-Orfi publishing house, said that this initiative as part of a campaign seeking to revive traditions of Eid al-Fitr and urge children to embrace the beautiful cultural heritage of their forefathers.