Dear All, while I am preparing some info about Silk Road festival 2008, you can read an article writen by German Journalist who was one of many invited to SIlk Road 2007. Keep tunned! Narine
THE AXIS OF EAVIL IS AFTER ALL NOT SO BAD
By Daisy Mohr in Algemeen Dagblad 2 november 2007 Syria is busily demanding attention and wishes to make tourism and culture its main sources of income.
Therfore hundreds of journalists were invited this week to see Syria with their own eyes and to experience that the "axis of evil" is after all not so bad.
All has been done during this yearly Silk Road Festival to show how friendly and hospitable Syria is.Delegations from India, Algeria, France, Russia. Iran, Germany and many other countries were assembled to get, as expressed in the invitation, the "right picture" of Syria.Officials from the Ministry of Tourism were active day and night to please everybody. "Everything all right? Could we perhaps improve something? Do you still have tips for next year? Such were the questions they asked us all the time.
The busy program led us along almost all Syrian highlights. The old city of Damascus, the lively souqs, the citadel of Aleppo, old churches and mosques and the historical Palmyra-in a frantic space we were conducted along the most impressive landmarks.and each delegation had its own escort.
The Minister of Tourism traveled with us and did his utmost best to leave a good impression . Also other Syrian ministers addressed the visitors.Camera teams of the Syrian teams television stood ready every day to interview us and ask us for our positive impression .Young and old, each Syrian we met during the festival asked us to convey a good and honest picture.
In the evening there was time for cultural events. We saw water organs, folkloric dancing from different countries and a Syria dancing group with more than hundred dancers in magnificient costumes. After that it was time to have dinner, never had I eaten better in Syria. One buffet after the other full of delicious salads, tender lam meat and splendid deserts were offered to us.
I think that every one parted with a good impression for which our hosts had done their best. Syria after all is a country with a well preserved culture and an enormously interesting history. Here no McDonalds, Starbucks and Burger Kings. The wealth of historical monuments needs hardly any advertising- that speaks in fact for itself.
Moreover Syrians are friendly and hospitable people who are always in for a chat.
Tags: Syria Silk Road
