Christmas in Damascus is different this year, after al-Assad’s fall
The ancient Old City comes alive with lights, music and joy, Syrians talk about their their hopes now al-Assad is gone.
Although the decorations may have been more elaborate last year, Carol al-Sahhaf says this year’s festive mood is a cut above, less than two weeks after Bashar al-Assad fled and his regime crumbled.
On either side of the biblical Street Called Straight – or al-Mustaqeem or just Straight Street for short – lights and Christmas trees adorn the cafes, restaurants, shops and homes of Bab Sharqi, the neighbourhood nestled up to the Eastern Gate of the ancient Old City.
The alleyways around Straight Street are bustling, with a spring-like feeling in the air as shopkeepers repaint, dust off their shelves, and hang the green, white and black Free Syria flag.
‘We, as Syrians’
“We’re a little apprehensive about the coming phase,” al-Shahhaf said as she browsed a small handicrafts stall in a cafe in the Old City’s Qishleh.
However, she added, she is immensely happy about all the changes in Syria. “I’m sure that we, as Syrians of all backgrounds, can prove to the world that we are a people who love peace,” the 28-year-old from Jaramana said.
“The horrifying scenes we saw in Assad’s prisons … we should be in mourning really, in solidarity with the families of detainees who were killed in prisons and with the families of those whose fate remains unknown,” Carol said.
Rawad Diop, who hails originally from Safita near Tartous, is just plain happy.
“Alongside Christmas celebrations, I see smiles on people’s faces that I hadn’t seen before.” the 42-year-old said.“Personally, I’m very happy and feel an inner optimism for the future.”
Qishleh Cafe is buzzing every night as people like Carol al-Sahhaf come out to meet their friends and celebrate their hopes for the future.
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