The First Annual Chaldean Festival

The First Annual Chaldean Festival

Dr. Noori Barka




The first Annual Chaldean Festival was held on the fourth and fifth of September in Downtown El-Cajon under the theme “THANK YOU EL CAJON”. The opening ceremony included a ribbon cutting by his Excellency our Bishop Mar Sarhad Yawsip Jammo and Mr. Mark Lewis Mayor of El Cajon City, joined by Bishop Mar Bawai Soro, all of our priests and dignitaries. This was followed by singing the American Anthem (by Bianca Zito) and Chaldean Anthem (by Luay Yousif). Mr. Ramzi Murad, president of the Chaldean American Association (CAA) welcome speech included an introduction about CAA and its role in serving our community. Dr. Noori Barka, Chairman of the festival, added that this festival is the result of collaborative efforts of many individuals and institutions “Our first and foremost gratitude goes to our beloved El Cajon City and its Mayor, the Honorable Mark Lewis for co-sponsoring this festival with our association; we thank all of you-our dear guests, honored sponsors and beloved volunteers. Without your support, we would never have been able to even chart the concept of an annual festival and start its preparations. We thank all the members of the Chaldean Council for public affairs, for their help, whose affiliates are: Ladies of Hope, The Knight of Columbus (Mar Toma Council), St. Michael Aid society, St. George Association and Chaldean Community Network”. He added “Our special gratitude goes to His Excellency Bishop Mar Sarhad Y. Jammo, for his full support of the Chaldean American Association and for his visionary guidance of our Chaldean Community, for carrying the Chaldean Flag and for serving all the People of God”.

Mr. Mark ewis, Mayor of El Cajon thanked CAA for the hard work in setting and preparing for this festival.

His Excellency our Bishop Mar Sarhad Yawsip Jammo’s speech reflected the role of Chaldeans in building societies. Ancient Chaldeans contributed tremendously to science, astronomy, religion and law. Today, the Bishop added, Chaldeans should contribute and benefit their new land, the United States of America, and requested them to give to their country and to the city of El Cajon before they seek to take anything, in return.

This ceremony was followed by opening of Art Exhibition at Ronald Reagan Center which included a VIP reception.

During the two days of the festival activities, fifteen Chaldean singers participated in the festival in addition to folk dance groups, games, authentic food and other activities. Over 4000 people attended the festival and enjoyed its activities.



Dr. Noori Barka
VP, Chaldean American Association
Chairman, 1st Annual Chaldean Festival