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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 VVVCZS1iREN2dEZLZEdQWm9RV2xjZUFRLmZCenhqTEhrRzZ3

#20 The Story of Assyria: Iraqi Nationalism and Assyria

In Class 20 of The Story of Assyria, Rabi Robert DeKelaita explores Kurdish nationalism and its impact on Assyrian history, identity, and cultural heritage, joined by Sarah Gawo and Pierre Younan. The discussion opens with a frank exchange on whether Assyrians and Kurds can ever share a common historical narrative, then moves into how nationalism reshapes claims to land, ancestry, and “who belongs” in northern Mesopotamia.

A major case study is Erbil (Arbela) and the way its ancient and Christian Assyrian past is sometimes reframed as merely one “layer” among many. The lecture also touches on Kurdish linguistic diversity, disputed territories in Iraq, regional geopolitics, and why heritage language and historical continuity matter for Assyrians today.

0:00 Welcome and topic Kurdish nationalism and Assyria
1:11 Opening questions for Sarah and Pierre
1:33 Sarah Kurds as “villains” in Assyrian memory
2:22 WWI and postwar tensions land religion politics
3:07 Cooperation examples and Kurdish autonomy context
4:39 Patriarchal seat and hope for coexistence
6:13 Pierre can history be agreed on
7:01 Kosovo analogy competing national histories
7:45 Assyrian indigeneity claim and Kurdish counterclaims
10:07 Kurdish flag painted on Assyrian ruins reaction
12:12 Who are the Kurds origins and identity
13:36 Migration theories and tribal layers
15:15 Ancient origin claims Gutians Medes critique
15:54 Kurdish dialect groups map overview
16:48 Population estimates range and politics of numbers
18:44 Assyria not only ancient also Christian continuity
19:05 Kurdistan Region Iraq provinces and disputed areas
21:14 Peshmerga and Western support
21:28 Israel KRG relationship background
23:06 “Kurdish Jews” and Aramaic connection
25:18 What Kurdish leaders want autonomy within states
26:44 KRG as de facto state argument
28:16 Kurdish historical project and “Median era”
30:50 Case study Erbil citadel reframed as “layers”
31:31 Chaldean News quote list of “civilizations” critique
34:39 Ankawa image and cultural continuity note
35:11 “Cradle of heritage” rhetoric and avoiding “Assyrian”
36:20 Erbil history in Assyrian and early Christian sources
36:45 Chronicle of Arbela overview and debate
40:03 Manuscript questions Alphonse Mingana discussion
42:26 Archaeology Middle Assyrian evidence in Erbil
44:30 Alexander battle near Arbela 331 BC
44:50 Church of the East Arbela as a center
45:16 Crone and Cook on Assyrian self identification
47:02 Continuity monotheism Judaism to Christianity
49:21 Kurdish nationalist framing of Erbil today
50:14 Proto Kurd claims Gutians Medes etc
51:01 “Assyrian layer” presentation in citadel narrative
52:57 Kurdification of names and geography
53:18 Ending note Mar Awa return and cathedral hope
54:29 Hope for coexistence and cultural survival

Duration: June 26th – December 18th
Day: Every Thursday
Time: 7:00 PM (CST)
Location: Online via Zoom
Cost: Free of charge
Taught by: Rabi Robert DeKelaita, History Instructor
Moderated by: Sarah Gawo & Pierre Younan

#Assyrian #AssyrianHistory #TheStoryofAssyria #AssyrianHistoryClass

In Class 19 of The Story of Assyria, we examine how Iraqi nationalism has defined Iraq’s identity while often treating modern Assyrians as separate from ancient Assyria. The discussion covers the British mandate and the creation of the Iraqi state, competing nationalist frameworks, Assyrian political demands after World War I, rising hostility in the early kingdom period, the Simele massacre of 1933, and how later regimes including the Ba’ath Party and Saddam Hussein used Mesopotamian symbolism while remaining suspicious of Assyrian political identity. We close by distinguishing Assyrian nationalism from Assyrianism as a social and cultural movement grounded in historical continuity.

0:00 Welcome and topic Iraqi nationalism and Assyria
1:03 Check in from Gaznik Botan and Hakkari region
1:55 How Iraq understands Assyrians as a people
2:48 Did Assyrians have recognized native status in Iraq
4:45 Simele massacre referenced as turning point
6:06 Early Iraqi leadership and the question of native claims
8:27 Pierre pushback national building and who buys in
10:48 Ancient Assyria as heritage modern Assyrians as separate
11:44 Cultural continuity vs legal ownership of heritage
15:13 Law limits and the continuity argument
17:53 What is Iraq Ottoman legacy and British creation
18:31 Two forms of Iraqi nationalism inclusive vs Arab focused
21:14 Ba’ath period and shift toward Mesopotamian framing
22:10 Ottoman Safavid struggle and the three provinces
23:18 British conquest Basra Baghdad Mosul
24:38 Pre World War I maps Assyrian regions and peoples
25:54 Hashemite kingdom and League of Nations admission
28:48 Anglo Iraqi treaty and oil exploitation context
30:17 Post war Assyrian demands and Mar Shimun leadership
33:08 Iraqi state frames Assyrians as denominations not a nation
34:54 Internal Assyrian debates Malik Khoshaba and others
37:44 British play both sides and rising Iraqi hostility
39:13 June 28 1933 parliament rhetoric against Assyrians
42:08 Simele 1933 massacre and British complicity discussion
43:41 R S Stafford quote on using the army
45:00 After Simele nationalism underground 1945 petition
46:44 Saddam and Mesopotamian nationalism strategy
48:51 Regime suspicion of Assyrians in leaked documents
50:47 Civilization contested ancient Iraqis versus Assyrians
51:09 Assyrian Democratic Movement 1979 goals
52:02 Nineveh and Mosul geography and demographic change
55:00 Assyrianism as cultural movement not state nationalism

Class 18 examines the encounter between American Protestant missionaries and the Assyrians of Urmia in the 19th century. Focusing on the work of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, the lecture explores education, printing, medicine, religious division, and the unintended rise of modern Assyrian national consciousness. A critical look at reform, fragmentation, and the long-term cultural and political consequences of Western missionary influence on the Assyrian people.

0:00 Introduction
1:29 East–West encounter
2:12 One Assyrian people
3:16 Americans arrive
3:28 American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.
4:14 Missionary methods
5:04 Church of the East missions
6:38 Protestant worldview
8:40 Orientalist attitudes
10:49 Education reforms
11:22 Printing press
13:00 Religious division
13:58 Christian rivalries
14:33 Indirect Muslim engagement
15:11 Medical modernization
16:10 Political impact
17:17 New Assyrian elites
18:33 Double-edged legacy
19:52 Educational revolution
22:07 Bible translation
23:28 Print culture
24:12 Church conditions
25:41 Medical schools
26:10 National awareness
27:58 Millet to nation
32:31 Print capitalism
38:25 Diaspora legacy
41:04 Comparative encounters
44:54 Final conclusions

In Class 17 of The Story of Assyria, we examine the question “Whose Assyria Is It?” by exploring how Assyrian history has been constructed, contested, and appropriated by states, scholars, and institutions. The lecture analyzes Western academia, Middle Eastern nationalism, archaeology, museums, and colonial legacies, while emphasizing Assyrian continuity, indigeneity, and the responsibility of Assyrians to study and defend their own history.

0:00 Welcome and topic
0:39 Assyriology conference in Baghdad mention
2:43 Who tells Assyrian history today
4:33 Pierre modern borders and staying vocal
7:25 Assyrians’ duty to learn their history
10:49 Who produces our history teaser
11:21 Layard era digs Assyrians excavating lamassu
13:24 ISAC Oriental Institute Dur Sharrukin artifacts abroad
15:26 What is a national story definition
17:06 19th-century excavations biblical orientalist framing
19:58 Modern states nationalize Assyria Iraq Turkey Syria KRG
21:36 Continuity debate Suraya Athuraya Syriac framing
23:45 Assyriology specialization ignores modern Assyrians
26:27 Sykes Picot borders crossed Assyrians
30:21 Nationalism theory symbols myths and memory
34:05 Who creates narratives state elites grassroots outsiders
39:25 Arab nationalist reframing Sati al Husri Baath
45:07 Can Iraq claim Assyria and the limits
48:14 Arabization pressure and Assyrian Democratic Movement
54:16 Comparisons North Macedonia Egypt Turkey Tibet Iran
59:17 Recap national stories contested
1:03:07 Closing responsibility to learn protect heritage

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

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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.

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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

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

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

General: General@acf-us.org

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Music: Music@acf-us.org

Tutoring: Tutoring@acf-us.org

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