The orchestra of Solhi Al-Wadi Institute for Arab Music held on Tuesday a musical evening marking World Food Day. More than 40 musicians presented oriental pieces of music led by Maestro Adnan Fathallah.

Maestro Fathallah said the orchestra participation in various occasions since its inception two years ago places responsibility upon it, adding that it was founded to bring up a generation strongly attached to their original music.

He added that it is the first experience in Syria and the Arab world to establish an orchestra for children and adults under 18. Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Syria Abdullah Taher.

Bin Yehya said the activity comes as part of the celebration of World Food Day which enters its 30th year titled'' Together against Hunger'', with the aim of encouraging more joint work to attain that goal.

''The question of combating hunger has reached a critical stage in 2009 that the number of the hungry around the world reached 925 millions, in view of rising food prices as a result of the world economic crisis,'' he said, adding that the deteriorating hunger crisis is blamed on neglecting the agricultural sector and dropping agricultural investment in many world countries.

Bin Yehya said FAO has mounted a worldwide campaign to cast light on the importance of combating hunger and to send a message to societies that special care should be accorded to combating hunger.

He added that Syria was at the vanguard of the participating countries. ''300, 000 peoples supported the campaign which reflects the public awareness of the Syrian society,'' Bin Yehya said, citing the growing need to increase food production.