Skokie Park District celebrates Assyrian culture

Susan Van Dusen (center) follows Wilson Youkhanna Saturday in an Assyrian dance at the Oakton Community Center in Skokie. Van Dusen is one of the founders of Coming Together in Skokie that runs through next month. | Shauna Bittle~for Sun-Times Media
Coming Together in Skokie, the village’s annual six-week series of programs all centered around one culture, can be viewed as having more than one related meaning.

In the most obvious, the program promotes bringing together the rich and ethnically diverse population of Skokie to connect and better understand each other. But in another sense, Coming Together in Skokie also unites different institutions in the village, which all work together for a common cause.

The program, now in its third year, has contributions this year from the village, the library, elementary and high school districts, a community college, a downtown Skokie college and a university among several others. This year’s spotlight shines on Assyrian culture.

It was the Skokie Park District’s turn Saturday to contribute to Coming Together in Skokie by holding a grand and colorful celebration of Assyrian culture at the Oakton Community Center. Among several different attractions was a display of Assyrian dances that allowed audiences to participate.

For a list of upcoming events about Assyrian culture, including some author visits, access ComingTogether.skokielibrary.info.

Niles West High School senior Daniela Dadesho welcomes guests Saturday to the Skokie Park District’s celebration of Assyrian culture at the Oakton Community Center. | Shauna Bittle~for Sun-Times Media

Assyrian students from Niles West High School perform traditional northern Assyrian dances Saturday during a celebration of their culture, a Coming Together in Skokie event at the Oakton Community Center. | Shauna Bittle~for Sun-Times Media

Robert Shabo, 19, of Skokie (front) leads a dance called the Peda Saturday during the Skokie Park District’s celebration of the Assyrian culture at the Oakton Community Center. | Shauna Bittle~for Sun-Times Media
http://skokie.suntimes.com/news/10805515-418/skokie-park-district-celebrates-assyrian-culture.html