The Assyrian people are intimately familiar with the void in heart and mind left by lack of a permanent, recognized homeland.
In a modern society that does little to nourish the artistic soul, strong personalities are needed to embrace and bolster the rich culture that fills that void.
In this natural state of emptiness, our culture's longing for symbolic representations have been long repressed. But, in our new state of embracing the fruits of democratic expression, Assyrian artists emerged as first class warriors, gracefully defending our identity through form, shape and color.
The seeds cultivated by Assyrian artists manifest into shapes that symbolically represent our emotional response to a state of emptiness, thirst, drive; aesthetically seeping through our eyes, interpreted through our minds, digested by our hearts.
Sharokin Betgevargiz, a MFA candidate at the School of Visual Arts, produces graphic design elements representing the Assyrian State. Visually exploring emotional, political, phonetic, spiritual, religious, nationalistic elements manifested throughout our existence, interpreted by a defender of our culture. In her words, "My native language is the basis for all of my expression, yet as a person of a culture without a country, I am free to go beyond borders and artificial constructs."
My primary focus is to lift, praise, and sustain our primary defenders of culture; our romantic poets frantically expressing symbols of our culture, defining our legitimacy. We are free to go beyond borders.
A particular form of cultural expression is found through song. Perhaps best explained by Robert Oshana, "Assyrian music...the raiser of consciousness, and the instigator of national pride." Through song we become consciously stimulated, enraged. Mr. Evin Agassi, a cultural defender at the front-line veraciously communicating our spiritual, physical and emotional restlessness.
KHAZAD'E QOOMOON[2(plural)]
stand cultivators
KHAZDAN KHAZDAKHL'E
we shall cultivate our cultivation
DAANAAN M'TEET'E LA
-our time- has arrived
NEERAN SHAMTAKH LE
-to break- our yoke
Translations: Robert Oshana
Homepage image: Sharokin Betgevargiz
Written by: Ninos Oshana
We are currently in development phases of the Assyrian Star online publication. If you are interested in participating through writing, photography or collaboration please contact us. Students are highly encouraged to participate.
Best,
The Assyrian American National FederationAssyrian Star Online Publication
The Assyrian Star online publication was created to provide an objective platform for individuals....
