A lifetime spent preserving Assyrian culture and history - Part I

Abboud Zeitoune is an Assyrian researcher, writer and activist who lives in Germany. He has spent decades researching and writing books about Assyrian music and songs and telling the story of the great Assyrian political activist and journalist Naum Faiq.

The English version copy of Naum Faiq: Assyrian/Syriac awakening Credit: Abboud Zaitoune

Mr Zeitoune has published many books about Assyrian/Syriac music and songs. His work includes 'Music Pearls of Beth-Nahrain', 'Music heritage of Mesopotamia', 'Modern Assyrian music' and 'Naum Faiq: Assyrian/Syriac awakening', published in Arabic and translated into German.

Credit: Abboud Zeitoune

He has written many articles about Assyrian/Syriac arts and culture.

SBS Assyrian spoke to Mr Zeitoune about his latest achievement, the publication of the English translation of his book, 'Naum Faiq: Assyrian/Syriac awakening'.

Mr Zeitoune says he first saw the importance of translating the book into German for young people born and raised in the European diaspora for easier understanding.

Music Pearls of Beth-Nahrain Credit: Abboud Zeitoune

Mr Zeitoune has cooperated with some of his friends to translate the book into the English language, as there are many Assyrians living in the USA, Australia and England.

Mr Zeitoune says: "English is an international language, and I wanted this book to reach non-Assyrians to better understand modern Assyrian/Syriac history and culture."

Music heritage of Mesopotamia Credit: Abboud Zeitoune

This podcast is Part I of this interview - it will be followed by Part II, where he talks about the challenges and difficulties Assyrian writers face when trying to sell their books.

For more details about Abboud Zeitoune's works, visit his page:

https://www.abboudzeitoune.com/en/galerie