{"id":83245,"date":"2016-07-22T12:18:25","date_gmt":"2016-07-22T09:18:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sana.sy\/en\/?p=83245"},"modified":"2016-07-22T12:18:25","modified_gmt":"2016-07-22T09:18:25","slug":"the-castle-and-valley-festival-kicks-off-in-homs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.sana.sy\/en\/?p=83245","title":{"rendered":"“The Castle and Valley” Festival kicks off in Homs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Homs, SANA – Activities of al-Qalaa and al-Wadi “The Castle and Valley”Festival kicked off on Thursday in Wadi al-Nadara (valley) in Homs province with the participation of a huge crowd of people, including political, cultural, social, civil and local figures.<\/p>\n

Minister of Tourism Bishr Yazigi highlighted the importance of annually holding the festival, which has become a prominent event observed every year in al-Wadi area, pointing out that the event reflects that fact that “the Syrians are determined to continue living and to triumph over evil and terrorism.”<\/p>\n

Holding the festival amid this significant popular participation, said Yazigi, sends “a message to the whole world that Syria will remain the country embracing history, civilization and heritage.”<\/p>\n

Yazigi used the opportunity of the festival to call upon the Syrian expatriates to play a role in supporting tourism in the country and to be real partners and present their investment and promotion initiatives to start joint projects.<\/p>\n

For his part, Homs Governor Talal al-Barazi noted that the festival has played an important role in recovery in Homs province in general and in al-Wadi area in particular, saying “With our music and joy, we will defeat the voice of their deadly bullets.”<\/p>\n

A number of artists and people in charge of the festival were honored. Songs were played by Hala Naqrour and folk and popular dance routines were performed by Jullanar band.<\/p>\n

An exhibition displaying handmade items and tools and popular sweets and food types was opened at the Church in al-Qelatiyeh area as part of the festival’s activities.<\/p>\n