STLCC-Florissant Valley Global Events to Focus on Syria

The Global Education Committee at the Florissant Valley campus of St. Louis Community College proudly introduces its Global Gatherings series for the spring semester.  Focusing on the country of Syria, the week offers events that feature STLCC faculty, various regional and national presenters, as well as a concert by Syrian musicians.  The series takes place at the Florissant Valley campus from April 6-9.  All events last around an hour and fifteen minutes and they are free and open to the public.

Monday, April 6^th.  Kicking off the series at 9:30 AM at the 3^rd floor of the IR (Instructional Resources/Library) building is Florissant Valley’s Syrian Professor Rihab Sawah presenting an overview of the country.  At 11:00 AM, the Executive Director the Philadelphia chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations, Jacob Bender, presents “A Jew among Muslims” at the same location.  A film screening of Out of Cordoba by Bender follows at 12:30 in the Social Science building, room 102.

Tuesday, April 7^th features Syrian clarinetist, Kinan Azmeh, and Syrian oud player, Issam Rafae, in a music concert in the Science/Math building, room 203 at 11 AM.  The oud is the grandparent instrument of the lute.  This event is an extraordinary opportunity to hear world music played by two famous musicians.  The film, Damascus with Love, follows in the same room at 12:30 PM. A Q& A opportunity will be available via Skype with the film’s director, Mohamad Abdulaziz, directly from Damascus, Syria.

Professor Sawah presents again in the Training Center, room 105/107, at 9:30 on Wednesday, April 8^th.  She will be demonstrating some of the food of Syria and will be asking for audience volunteers!  Of course, a meal will follow.  Later that day at 12:30 PM in the Social Science building, room 102, Meramec’s Professor Mike Fuller will be presenting on Syria’s fascinating archeological history, sharing some of his intriguing stories about his own archaeological excavations in Syria.

On the final day of the series, Thursday, April 9^th, all events will occur in the Training Center, room 105/107.  At 11 AM Professor Sawah will interview two Syrians on their stories and memories of Syria with delicious Syrian food to follow.  Finally, at 12:30 PM Professor Zaid Mahir from University of Central Missouri will present on Syrian literature.