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Assyrian Cultural Foundation

The Assyrian Cultural Foundation (formerly known as AUAF) is a non-profit organization inspired by Assyrian heritage, serving as a bridge between traditions and different generations in the hopes of building a stronger, more connected community through our various programs.

YouTube Video VVVCZS1iREN2dEZLZEdQWm9RV2xjZUFRLk16RW5ja2VHbmw0

In this lecture, Rabi Robert DeKelaita explores one of the most complex questions facing modern Assyrians: who truly owns the heritage of ancient Assyria?

Through legal cases, historical examples, moral arguments, and modern museum policy, we examine how artifacts left by ancient Assyria, who controls them today, and what possibilities exist for the future.

0:12 Artifact ownership scenario
1:56 Sarah argues for museums
6:19 Pierre argues for Assyrians
9:45 Who is “us”?
11:49 Academic vs religious view
14:07 Hobby Lobby case
18:59 Return to Iraq
21:11 Iraqi Jewish manuscripts
24:33 Who owns the archives?
25:23 Rubin v. Iran
28:10 Colonial excavations
31:15 ISIS destruction
32:25 No legal standing
34:35 Moral claims & partnerships
35:57 Assyrian identity in museums
37:15 Future path for Assyrians

Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate the art of George Shamoun! As the artist said himself: “You came with your hearts before your footsteps; you are the water that flows into the cracks of thirst. Peace be upon you as long as there is a soul calling out in art.”

If you are interested in visiting the exhibition, please email finearts@acf-us..org to book a tour.

Artworks are still available for purchase, and the collection will remain on display until March 1st. This collection is an expression of reverence for the history and beauty of the Assyrian community, and we are honored to share it with all of you.

#Assyrian #AssyrianArt #AssyrianArtists #GeorgeShamoun #ArtExhibition #AssyrianCulturalFoundation #ACFchicago

#15 - The Story of Assyria: The Modern Assyrian Identity and Its Internal Debates (Part 2)

0:12 Introduction to Part 2
0:20 What Assyrianism Tries to Do
0:38 Movement Beyond Sectarian Divisions
1:04 Rise of Assyrianism & Earlier Nationalisms
1:26 Suraya / Assyrian as Self-Designation
1:38 Protecting Identity in the Diaspora
2:32 Language, Memory & Symbols
3:14 Link to Martyrs and Continuity
3:40 Historical Truth vs Myth Claims
4:05 Missionary Influence Debate
5:03 Parpola on Indigenous Suraya Identity
7:03 Assyria as a Multiethnic Empire
8:22 Assimilation of Arameans
10:01 Language vs Ethnicity Distinctions
10:50 Archaeology & “Aramean States”
11:58 Aramean as a Foreign Label
12:55 Historical Basis for Identity
13:10 Early Assyrianism in Urban Centers
13:51 Euphrates College & Asher Yousif
14:50 Sectarianism as the Obstacle
15:38 David Perley on Assyrian Synthesis
16:18 Breaking Away from Church-Based Identity
17:08 Rise of National Thinking in Modernity
18:04 Fredun Agha & Early Political Organizing
19:05 Vision for a Unified Assyrian Region
19:44 Arsanis Criticism: “We Don’t Even Have a Name”
21:10 Pushback Within the Community
22:16 Church of the East & Assyrian Identity
23:02 Liturgical Expressions of Assyrianism
24:46 Modern Scholarly Rejections of Continuity
26:15 Arab & Iraqi Nationalist Opposition
27:12 Ashuri vs Othuri Distinctions in Iraq/Syria
28:00 Parliamentary Hostility Before Simele
29:50 Spread into Music, Culture & Literature
31:06 Key Questions About Assyrianism Today
34:01 Sarah Gawo: Is Assyrianism Political or Social?
37:04 Pierre Younan: Did Assyrianism Cause Division?
42:06 Origins vs Misunderstandings of the Movement
43:47 Sectarian Perceptions in the Community
45:52 Did Assyrianism Begin in All Denominations?
48:06 What If There Had Been a State?
49:02 Renaming the Church of the East (1976)
55:05 Evaluating Bishop Sarhad Jammo’s Approach
58:13 Could “Chaldean” or “Syriac” Replace “Assyrian”?
1:03:06 Shared Destiny & Increasing Unity

In this session of The Story of Assyria, Rabi Robert DeKelaita continues the exploration of modern Assyrian identity, focusing on the rise of Assyrianism as a cultural and social movement. The class examines how Assyrianism emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, its attempt to transcend church divisions, and its grounding in historical continuity rather than myth.

Through references to scholars such as Simo Parpola, discussions of Suraya/Assyrian self-designation, and the impact of archaeology and linguistics, the class evaluates whether Assyrian identity is rooted in genuine ancient lineage or modern construction.

Joining the discussion, Sarah Gawo and Pierre Younan analyze internal debates:
– Did Assyrianism cause division?
– Is it political, social, or cultural?
– Could identities like “Chaldean” or “Syriac” replace “Assyrian”?
– How should the modern community understand shared heritage?

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the special reading of NIRAREYAT by Ninos Nirari.

This recap captures the beauty of the evening, featuring Badr Rhomri and Nora Bakko as they brought his newest poetry collection to life.

A journey through love, language, and emotion.

“Your beauty is a civilization that rains poetry on me.”

#Assyrian #AssyrianCulture #AssyrianPoetry #AssyrianWriters
#NinosNirari #NIRAREYAT #AssyrianLiterature

Episode 5 – The Ashurbanipal Library at ACF

Join Susan as she explores the history, mission, and treasures of the Ashurbanipal Library at the Assyrian Cultural Foundation. Featuring insights from Robert DeKelaita, Ninos Nirari, and Susan Borto, along with an in-depth interview with librarian Sarah Gawo.

0:18 Welcome to Episode 5
0:23 Inside the Ashurbanipal Library
0:34 History of the Library
0:52 Why It’s Named After King Ashurbanipal
1:05 Early years and growth
1:16 What the Library Collects
1:28 Visitors from Around the World
1:53 Meeting Robert DeKelaita
2:11 Library mission discussion (with Ninos)
3:37 Ninos Nirari's message
4:32 Transition to interview with Sarah Gawo
4:52 Interview with Librarian Sarah Gawo
5:13 Mission & Purpose of the Library
5:54 Types of Books in the Collection
6:25 Languages Offered
6:53 Has the Library Published Books?
7:18 Plans for Future Publications
7:21 Online Catalog & Resources
7:55 Internet Archive Access
8:23 Can Researchers Borrow Books?
9:00 Message to Assyrian Youth
9:54 The Coolest Book in the Collection
10:27 History of Pilgrim’s Progress (Assyrian translation)
11:12 Closing with Fun Facts
11:19 Oldest Book in the Library (1500s)
11:31 From 25 books to over 8,000 today
11:42 Closing Remarks

In Class 14 of The Story of Assyria, Rabi Robert DeKelaita examines the modern debates surrounding Assyrian identity, including the rise of Chaldean, Syriac, and Aramean designations in the Middle East and diaspora. The lecture explores historical frameworks, nationalism theories, linguistic evidence, church politics, and the fragmentation that emerged in the 20th century. Sarah and Pierre join to discuss how shared language, culture, and homeland unify the people despite differing identity narratives. The session traces Assyrianism, Arameanism, and Chaldean identity formation from ancient sources through modern political pressures.

00:00 Intro – Modern Assyrian Identity
00:18 Conflicts vs. Debates
00:49 Sarah’s Question: Assyrian & Chaldean Identity
01:51 Origins of Terms (Assyrian, Chaldean)
03:09 Church Affiliation & Identity
05:05 Imagined Histories & Oneness
06:04 Pierre’s Question: Syriac vs. Assyrian
08:05 Identity Shifts & Historical Trauma
10:09 Patriarch Afram’s Shift (Politics & Survival)
12:01 Assimilation Pressures & Identity Fragmentation
18:55 Framework: Modern Assyrian Identity
20:02 Terminology (Assyrian, Syriac, Chaldean, Aramean)
21:01 East vs. West Syriacs
22:39 Theories of Nationhood (Hobsbawm)
25:29 Primordial Identity Traits
27:26 Subjective Identity & Imagined Community
29:03 Ethnes & Myth of Common Ancestry
30:48 Modernism vs. Constructivism
32:49 Beginning of Aramean Movement
33:40 Rise of Arameanism in Diaspora
35:14 Syriac Church & Aramean Identity Conflict
41:38 Arameanism as a National Project
43:34 Language, Identity & Unity
47:00 Aramaic History Arguments
50:29 Aramean Transnational Identity
52:22 Beginning of Chaldean Identity History
53:07 Keldu / Chaldean Origins in Assyrian Texts
55:05 Biblical & Classical Use of “Chaldean”
56:03 St. Jerome & Chaldean-As-Syriac
58:04 Split in Church of the East (1552)
1:01:06 Decline of Church of the East
1:02:14 Cotanos & Use of “Chaldean Patriarch”
1:03:50 Interchangeability of Suraya / Kaldaya
1:04:22 Tradition: Easterners Descend from Assyrians
1:06:20 Sarhad Jammo’s Role & Identity Shifts
1:09:05 Modern Chaldean Assertions of Separation
1:10:20 Archbishop Faraj Rahho & Christian (Suraya) Identity
1:12:03 Father Michael Bezi – Love of Homeland Poem
1:13:00 Closing

In Class 13 of The Story of Assyria, Rabi Robert DeKelaita examines how Western scholars have challenged the continuity between the ancient Assyrians and their modern descendants. The lecture asks a fundamental question: who owns Assyrian history, and who has the right to define Assyrian identity?

The class opens with Sarah and Pierre reflecting on terms like Assyrian, Syriac, Suraya/Suroyo, and Aturaya, then moves into a detailed critique of modern scholarship. Figures such as John Joseph, Adam Becker, Aaron Butts, Wolfhart Heinrichs, and David Wilmshurst are discussed, especially where they deny continuity or portray modern Assyrians as a “constructed” ethnicity. Rabi Robert contrasts this with linguistic evidence (Syria = Assyria), inscriptions like Çineköy, Syriac sources that explicitly mention “Assyrians,” and enduring practices such as the Rogation of the Ninevites.

Throughout the lecture, the focus is on continuity of language, geography, memory, and religious life in the Assyrian heartland—arguing that modern Assyrians are not inventing an identity from nothing, but reclaiming a historical name and heritage that survived under layers of conquest and suppression.

0:00 Who owns Assyrian history? Introducing tonight’s topic
0:40 Sarah on growing up with Assyrian, Syriac, Suraya, and Syrian
2:10 Diaspora football rivalry in Sweden & identity conflict
4:30 Pierre on “Suraya / Suroyo” as a shared self-designation
7:50 Is “Suraya” derived from “Assyrian”? Linguistic arguments
10:50 Western scholars who deny Assyrian continuity
13:30 Comparing Assyrians with Copts, Jews, Armenians, Kurds, Greeks, Iranians
16:40 Introducing Aaron Butts and the continuity vs. construct debate
20:40 Self-designation, “Syrian” vs “Assyrian,” and the problem of terminology
25:30 Historical memory, geography, and survival under empires
29:30 Missionaries, nationalism, and Assyrian identity: catalyst or cause?
33:10 Ignored evidence: Simo Parpola, oral traditions, Ninevite fast, and more
36:10 Syriac sources that explicitly mention “Assyrians”
39:10 The Ashurbanipal statue in San Francisco & naming controversy
40:40 Rolinger, Herodotus, and why Syria = Assyria
44:10 The Çineköy inscription and the shift from Assur to Sur
48:00 Wolfhart Heinrichs on modern Assyrianism and the name “Assyrian”
52:00 Assyria under Parthians and Sasanians: Assuristan and regional continuity
55:10 Second temple of Ashur, Aramaic inscriptions, and religious continuity
58:10 Late antique/medieval art, monasteries, and Assyrian lineage of saints
1:01:00 “Atur” as the only real homeland name in our language
1:02:10 Closing reflections on continuity, rupture, and Western narratives

In this session of The Story of Assyria, Rabi Robert DeKelaita explores the lives, writings, and cultural impact of Addai Alkhas and John Alkhas—two towering figures of Assyrian literature whose work helped revive national identity in the mid-20th century.

Through their printing house Hunain and their legendary periodical Gilgamesh, they reintroduced ancient Assyrian stories, language, mythology, and imagery to a modern audience. Their efforts tied together Assyria’s ancient past, Christian heritage, and post-genocide identity into a unified cultural vision.

0:00 Introduction
0:10 Why Study Addai Alkhas & John Alkhas
1:30 Origins of the Alkhas Family
3:02 Addai & John Alkhas in Context
4:05 Iran in the 1950s–60s: Modernization & Change
6:03 Assyrians Under the Shah
7:37 Comparing Iran & Iraq
9:01 National Identity Framework (Benedict Anderson)
12:00 The Role of the Church of the East
14:40 Patriarchal Visits to Iran
16:30 Tradition vs History
17:37 Biography of Addai Alkhas
19:06 Founding of the Hunain Press
20:24 Launch of Gilgamesh Magazine
21:32 Biography of John Alkhas
23:54 Early Assyrian Literary Culture
24:49 Reintroducing Ancient Assyrian Imagery
25:54 Themes of Cultural Revival
27:11 Purpose of the Gilgamesh Publication
31:04 Prayer for the Assyrian Nation
33:07 Introducing Ancient Assyrian Festivals
35:42 Ancient Assyrian Creation Myths
38:03 Translation of Ancient Texts into Modern Assyrian
41:05 Descent of Ishtar (First Modern Assyrian Appearance)
43:41 Impact on Modern Assyrian Names & Identity
44:47 Honoring William Daniel
45:12 Short Story Analysis: Bulbala
47:03 Overcoming Denominational Division
49:01 Symbolism in Assyrian Literature
50:29 John Alkhas’ Poetic Themes
52:05 John Alkhas’ Personality & Legacy
55:06 “The Swallow” – Poem Analysis
57:14 Call to Preserve Language & Culture
59:10 Poetic Appeal to Christ
1:00:55 Nimrod Simono on John Alkhas
1:01:46 Hanibal Alkhas' Tribute Poem
1:04:03 Other Works Presented in Gilgamesh
1:05:17 Final Reflections on Addai & John Alkhas
1:06:15 Closing Remarks

In this interview, George Shamoun explores the stories behind his artwork, offering insight into his creative process and the experiences that have defined his artistic career.

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Assyrian Cultural Foundation

The Assyrian Cultural Foundation (ACF) is a non-profit organization inspired by Assyrian heritage, serving as a bridge between traditions and different generations in the hopes of building a stronger, more connected community through our various programs.

Hours

Mon–Fri: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Sat: Closed Saturdays
Sun: Closed Sundays

Support our Fine Arts Program by purchasing artwork using our Fine Art America link. Click Here

Visit Us

Assyrian Cultural Foundation
4343 W. Touhy Avenue
Lincolnwood, IL 60712

Contact Us

Telephone: (773) 274-9262
Fax: (224)251-7620

General: General@acf-us.org

Art: Finearts@acf-us.org

Music: Music@acf-us.org

Tutoring: Tutoring@acf-us.org

Homecare-CCP-E-mail: info@homecare-aid.com

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