A Cultural Loss

As a ticket-holder for the Whirling Dervishes of Damascus concert, I was very disappointed to read about the canceled concert (“World Festival Loses Another Attraction to Visa Differences,” by Mike Boehm, Sept. 18).

I am not looking forward to our cultural options post-Sept. 11. I’m wondering if we are going to deprive ourselves of the rich music, art and culture the Middle East has to offer in the name of “homeland security.” Music and art have an ability to bring cultures together. Won’t that help “homeland security”?

ROBIN HARRINGTON

Silver Lake