The Forgotten Genocide: A Documentary on the Occasion of the Centennial of Sayfo

Under the patronage of His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, and in collaboration with the Syrian Ministry of Social Affairs, the documentary entitled “The Forgotten Genocide” was launched on Wednesday August 26, 2015, on the occasion of the Centennial of the Syriac Genocide Sayfo. The documentary was played at the Assad Opera House in Damascus, in the presence of Indonesian Ambassador Mr. Jako Harianto as well as many diplomats and assistant ministers.

The documentary included photos and clips from the period of the Genocide during which more than half a million Syriac-speaking people were killed and brutally massacred. Many scenes were shown were people were slaughtered, women violated, and children taken away. These scenes are similar to what is being committed now against Christians in some countries of the Middle East.

The documentary started with a historical report on the origin of the Syriac people and their conversion to Christianity as well the number of towns and churches that were destroyed and the number of martyrs that fell during that period.

His Holiness gave a speech saying: “the documentary we are now watching about the Syriac genocide Sayfo is a response to the destruction of historical sites in Syria like the Citadel of Tadmur and other destructions”. He added: “the terrorist groups that are acting now in Syria are the same who committed the Genocide against the Syriac and Armenian peoples”. He assured that Syria will recover from its crisis and that the Syrians are able to reconstruct their country and defeat the disaster.

The documentary was followed by a concert by St. Aphrem Patriarchal Choir who played a series of popular Syriac songs that express love, peace and connection to the homeland.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.