Traditional Easter Celebration in Southeast Turkey (11-17 April 2012)
- Watch the 1-hour DVD's of last year's Journey Home from 19-26 April: DVD 1, DVD 2, DVD 3, DVD 4 & DVD 5.
- See this year's VIDEO CLIP (3 min.) in Tur-Abdin Aramaic.
- Print, hang & distribute the poster / flyer in your church/association.
- Details of the contact persons in your country can be found below this page!
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Read the text below in:
o the Swedish translation and download the A4 poster in JPEG.
o the German translation and download the A4 poster in JPEG.
o the French translation and download the A4 poster in JPEG.
o the Italian translation and download the A4 poster in JPEG.
o the Dutch translation and download the A4 poster in JPEG.
*Email us at turabdin@sua-ngo.org (click here) if you want to join us!*
1. Celebrating Traditional Easter Celebration in Tur-Abdin, Southeast Turkey: 11-17 April 2012
After last year's extremely successful journey home, from 19-26 April 2011, the Syriac Universal Alliance (SUA) and its Member Federations again offer 100 Arameans from all over the world a unique experience to relive their childhood and bring up memories with fellow people in the place that gave birth to them and/or their (grand)parents. This year from 11-17 April.
For 30-40 years, most Diaspora Arameans have not returned, let alone celebrated traditional feasts in their homeland. In celebrating Passion Week and Easter, participants can enrich themselves with the lifetime chance to experience a cultural and spiritual pilgrimage to Istanbul and Southeast Turkey, including Mardin, Tur-Abdin and Diyarbakir (Omid). For most Arameans who originate from this ancient region, this experience turned out to be no less than the pilgrimage to the Holy City of Jerusalem in Israel.
- Tour guides through ancient villages, monasteries and churches in Istanbul, Mardin, Diyarbakir and Midyat and its surroundings in Tur-Abdin.
- 11-12 April: Maundy Thursday in Istanbul (Washing of the Feet/Shyoghto da raghle), by and dinner with H.E. Archbishop Mor Filoxenus Yusuf Cetin from Istanbul and the Board of the Diocese; on Thursday the participants are free to choose between spare time in Istanbul City (5-6 hours!) or take part of the tour programme which may include meetings with the Greek and Armenian Patriarchs and a visit to Hagia Sofia and Istanbul Museum which has ancient Aramaic objects from Urhoy (Edessa/Urfa).
- 13 April: Good Friday in Mardin (commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary/yawmeh d-'ruwto di zqifutho), by and dinner with H.E. Bishop Mor Filoxenus Saliba Özmen from Mardin and the local community.
- 14 April: Visiting the Monasteries of, and touring villages around, Tur-Abdin, including Mor Gabriel & Mor Jacob d-Salih.
- 15 April: Easter Sunday celebration in Midyat ('edo di qyomto), with H.E. Archbishop Mor Timotheus Samuel Aktas; you can choose between spare time to visit your village(s) alone or visit with the group a couple of other towns; an Easter Gala (hago marduthonoyo) free of charge moderated by the famous Shleimun Ego (Akgüc) from Suryoyo Sat in Sweden and the famous Singer Yusuf Saliba from Germany. The Gala will again be broadcast LIVE on Suryoyo Sat !
- 16 April: Easter Monday celebration at Mor Abrohom & Mor Hobil Monastery in Midyat (yawmo di thnahto), with H.E. Archbishop Mor Timotheus Samuel Aktas; Tur-Izlo (incl. Mor Melke Monastery); travel to Diyarbakir (Omid) to visit the ancient St. Mary Church; in the evening a traditional Diyarbakir Sira Gecesi (traditional folk music) will be held with folkloristic music, dances and food.
- All-inclusive package: luxurious 4/5 star hotels in Istanbul, Mardin, Midyat and Diyarbakir; transport and fare, food and drinks, etc.
- After the journey: participants will receive a DVD with unique photos & a documentary about this lifetime experience and unforgettable journey that will also be broadcast on Suryoyo Sat.
3. Departure and Arrivals, 11 & 17 April 2012:
1. For the 100 participants, on Wednesday 11 April 2012 the next airports have been arranged with Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines (meals provided!):
Consult the flight times HERE!
On the 13th of April 2012 all ca. 100 participants will travel together from Istanbul to Diyarbakir. The flight schedule will be received in Turkey.
2. On Tuesday 17 April, participants will fly from Diyarbakir Airport to Istanbul Airport (Sabiha Gökcen) at:
Consult the flight times HERE!
3. On Tuesday 17 April 2012, participants will fly back home via Istanbul Airport at:
