Baghdad, SANA – The Syrian pavilion won the first prize at the 8th Baghdad International Flower Festival for the third time in a row after it was ranked first at the 6th and 7th editions of the festival held in 2014 and 2015.
This year’s edition’s second prize went jointly to Netherlands and Egypt, and Lebanon and Sudan won the third prize.
The festival’s Secretary Zekra Alloush hailed Syria’s participation and win, saying “It is not surprising for the Syrians to win the first prize because they are creative, diligent and persevering people.”
Syria’s participation, which comes against the backdrop of the aggression it faces, “proves that it is striving with both hands, fighting terrorism with one and planting love with the other,” Alloush added.
For her part, Suhaila Abbas, a member of the provincial council of Babylon city, said upon visiting the Syria pavilion that Syria is soon to achieve victory over terrorism “because people who plant flowers and amity and fight the enemies of humanity at the same time will definitely end up triumphant.”
Head of the Syrian delegation to the festival, Mohammad Shaabani, expressed happiness about the Syrian side being awarded the first prize and the “Ideal Woman” prize that was earned by Fadia Karawan, a member of the delegation.
These wins came to “crown the innovative efforts aimed at showing Syria’s bright face,” said Shaabani.
Reem/H.Said