detailing the Syriac Christians’ forcible expulsion in 1924 from their ancestral home in Urfa, Turkey to their resettlement in the Syriac Quarter of Aleppo, Syria with illustrations and colour photos.
To Aleppo from Urfa details the heartbreaking passage of being forcibly expelled from the Syriac Quarter of their ancestral city of Urfa in 1924 to their settlement in Hay as-Syrian, the Syriac Quarter in Aleppo. The Urhoyan Syriac way of life is described through their strong ties to their church, their unique dialect, how they built and lived in their homes, their specialized cuisine, their education, ways in which they made a living, their artistic expression in music and needlework, and how they spent their leisure time. Whether in Urhoy or Aleppo, the Syriac community persevered, rebuilt, and succeeded in safeguarding their traditions through occupations, massacres, wars, and displacements. Pierre A. Harun uses his vivid memories and those his community relayed orally to weave a tapestry of knowledge of the Syriac culture.
Take a look at all the content covered in the book:
Chapters
1
Urhoy
2
Displacement
3
Deportation
4
En Route
5
Strides in New Cities
6
Settlement in Aleppo
7
Organizing
8
The Syriac Language
9
Churches
10
Community and Foreign Schools
11
Housing: Stage One
12
Financial Resources
13
Priests of the Quarter and Clergy
14
Traditions
15
Incidents under French Rule
16
Housing: Stage Two
17
Mira/Régie during WWII
18
Allegiance to the New Republic
19
Demonstrations
20
From Barrakat to Ḥay
21
Professions
22
Street Vendors
23
The Home
24
The Public Bath
25
Clothing and Fashion
26
Provisions
27
Vineyards
28
Drinks
29
Marriage
30
Funeral
31
Religious Festivities
32
Excursions
33
Games and Entertainment
34
Athletic Activities
35
ITAS
36
Scouts
37
Stories, Anecdotes, and Aphorisms
38
Music
39
Folk Medicine
40
Assorted Incidents
41
Abandoned Churches in Urhoy
42
Literary Accomplishments
43
Propositions for Street Names
About the author
Pierre A. Harun, born in 1929, was a civil engineer and worked in many countries, including Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Syria, Kuwait, and Canada. He was devoted to his parents and four siblings and helped care for his paternal grandparents, who lived with them in the Syriac Quarter of Aleppo, Syria. He was happily married to his wife for almost 60 years. Together, they proudly raised their four daughters, mostly in Montreal, Canada. He felt lucky to be a guiding light to his children, five grandchildren, extended family, and close friends. Pierre was a storyteller with a vast knowledge of nearly every subject, particularly history. With a twinkle in his eye and a wink, he would regale his audience with humorous stories or discuss current events.
Sadly, Pierre passed away in 2020 before publishing To Aleppo from Urfa. His beloved brother continued to edit the book with the help of Pierre’s daughter, Rima. It is now ready to be distributed among the Syriac community and beyond. Please send an email on the ‘Order’ page in the menu, and Rima will reply with details on how she can deliver (if you live in Montreal, Canada) or mail the book to you.
★★★★★
I love the book!
★★★★★
It’s such a good read about our beloved Urhoy and our ancestors.
★★★★★
Rich with details, photographs, and illustrations depicting life in the Syriac Quarter of Aleppo, and more.
★★★★★
An AMAZING book, a treasure! I got so emotional reading a few pages. A labour of love . . . God bless Pierre’s soul.