The Assyrian Youth Group members show their costumes. They performed Assyrian-style folk dances during the opening ceremony on Saturday of the fourth Assyrian Food Festival in Morton Grove, where Assyrian culture was celebrated with ethnic food and entertainment, live music,vendor tents, KidZone, and a beer and wine garden. (Gina Grillo / Pioneer Press)

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By Gina Grillo, Aug 22, 2022

The Assyrian Food Festival Saturday and Sunday focused on the culture of this ancient people, many of whom have settled in Skokie, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove and Niles after their native Iraq became unsafe for them in the 1970s.

The fest’s opening ceremony on Saturday gathered dignitaries, community members and local officials for a presentation of traditional Assyrian folk dancing and music.

This nonreligious festival, now in its fourth year, was open to the public and presented by the Illinois Diocese of the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East, returning after a two-year COVID-19 hiatus.

The original idea for a Chicago-area Assyrian food and cultural festival, organizers say, came from His Grace Paulus Benjamin, of the Diocese of Eastern USA of the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East.

 “We wanted to make our neighbors aware of our cultural traditions, our food and dance. We want to be an active part of the multicultural society and bring unity and harmony to our city and the surrounding towns, all under the American flag,” Bishop Benjamin said.

The food festival highlighted authentic Assyrian specialties like beef kebabs, chicken shawarma, dolma, falafel, rice and assorted vegetables wrapped in grape leaves, served Saturday from 2 to 10 p.m. and Sunday 2 to 9 p.m. It was held at the Prairie View Community Center, 6834 W. Dempster.

Assyrian culture was celebrated with entertainment, live music, vendor tents, a KidZone, and a beer and wine garden.

Festival committee member Maureen Nano, says it often surprises people to learn that Assyrians were the first to discover the planets with the first telescope, and that they are known for the invention of the wheel, the cuneiform writing system, using the wheel and axle to create their chariots, and avid record-keeping that inspired the first library.

 “The festival brings our cultural identity out into the public here in Chicagoland where we have one of the largest Assyrian populations in the United States,” Nano said.

According to the Assyrian Universal Alliance Foundation (AUAF) website, in 2015, there were more than 100,000 Assyrians living in the Chicago area with approximately 20,000 living in Skokie alone.

Morton Grove Mayor Dan DiMaria attended the festival.

“We are honored that the Assyrian community has once again chosen Morton Grove to host their event,” DiMaria said in an email.

“In Morton Grove, our diversity shows and this event is a fantastic way to learn about the Assyrian culture and traditions, have fun, and eat great food,” DiMaria said.

The Assyrian Cultural Foundation, located in Lincolnwood, was founded in 1978 to help with resettlement during the mass migration of Assyrian refugees to the United States.

According to its website, in 1975 Iraq becameunsafe for its Assyrian minority and tens of thousands fled to other countries. According to the ACF, Chicago has become the largest population of Assyrians outside the homeland.

“Assyrians are among the Christians of the Middle East, and for the festival we wanted to focus on our rich culture and keep religion out of it,” Nano said.

All festival proceeds will go toward funding church programs.

Bella Hermiz says she has lived in the Chicago area for 48 years.

 “We are Assyrian and we love our people and we wanted to come out to see the dancing, eat some delicious food and celebrate our heritage,” Hermiz said.

Assyrian cultural wares were sold at the fourth annual Assyrian Food Fest held in Morton Grove Aug. 20-21. (Gina Grillo / Pioneer Press)

Assyrian Food Festival volunteer Bella Kamber of Morton Grove sold cultural wares on Aug. 20 at the fest in Morton Grove, where Assyrian culture was celebrated with ethnic food and entertainment, live music,vendor tents, KidZone, and a beer and wine garden. (Gina Grillo / Pioneer Press)

Dancers perform Aug. 20 at the Assyrian Food Festival in Morton Grove, where Assyrian culture was celebrated with ethnic food and entertainment, live music,vendor tents, KidZone, and a beer and wine garden. (Gina Grillo / Pioneer Press)

The Assyrian Food Festival audience watches a dance performance at the fest in Morton Grove, where Assyrian culture was celebrated with ethnic food and entertainment, live music,vendor tents, KidZone, and a beer and wine garden. (Gina Grillo / Pioneer Press)