Greek archaeologists honor their murdered Syrian colleagues

The Greek Archaeologists Association (SEA) declared October 21 a “Day for the promotion of the work of the Greek Archaeology Service.”

A series of events will take place in the week October 19-25 aiming at public awareness in issues related to the protection and promotion of the cultural heritage.

The events will highlight the multi-faceted work (excavations, restoration, educational and other) conducted by the Archaeological Service and its importance for the society.

Particularly, this year’s events entitled “People and Monuments in danger” are dedicated to the memory of Khalid al-Asaad and Qassem Abdallh Yehya, who were brutally murdered by the Islamists.

“Our Syrian colleague Khalid al-Asaad, emeritus director of the Antiquities of Palmyra was dedicated to the protections of the antiquities as well as chemist Qassem Abdallh Yehya responsible for the antiquities restoration in Syria. It seems that the powers of religious fanaticism didn’t like that, especially in an area where there are big interests”.

“We stand by the Syrian people in their battle for freedom, the thousands of refugees that abandoned their country to save the lives of the children and their own, the looting of their houses and of their monuments, arrived petitioners to our country,” said SEA in an announcement.

The entrance is free to all events and the programme is available on SEA website (in Greek).