Lattakia s International Sculpture Symposium

The ongoing International Sculpture Symposium held in the Syrian coastal city of Lattakia is one of the most prominent events of Al-Mahabba Festival as it creates direct intimate contacts between sculptors and the public and among participating Arab and foreign sculptors as well.

The Symposium derives its subjects from Ugarit heritage, marking the 75th anniversary of the excavation of this historical Syrian city and its symbols like the eagle, vessel, fish and other items that display the very ancient history of Ugarit.

Ugarit, capital of the ancient Ugarit kingdom, is very old city lying in a large artificial mound called Ras Shamra (Ra's Shamrah), 10 km north of Latakia on the Mediterranean coast. Its ruins were first discovered 1928. The most prosperous and the best-documented age in Ugarit's history, dated from about 1450 to about 1200 BC, produced great royal palaces and temples and shrines, with great libraries on the acropolis.

Director of the Fine Arts at the Ministry of Culture, Maha Qawas, told SANA that the Symposium attracts special attention and interest as a distinguished event within the framework of Al-Mahabba Festival, now on its 9th day.

Ten Syrian sculptors are taking part in the Symposium along with other sculptors from Lebanon and Turkey.

The International Sculptor Symposium is the third of its kind. The sculptures will be given as a gift to the city of Lattakia to decorate its main squares, streets and parks.