Old Aleppo regains its pulse, Khan al-Harir market and Pistachio Square open after their rehabilitation

Aleppo (ST): The “City Nights” event in the old city of Aleppo, organized by the Aleppo Governorate and the Syrian Trust for Development, kicked off to celebrate the opening of Khan al-Harir market and Pistachio Square, after rehabilitating them from the damage caused by terrorism, as part of the national plan to restore life to the markets of the old city of Aleppo.

The event included signing an agreement to restore the Ropes Market between Aleppo Governorate and the Ministry of Culture represented by the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums, the Syrian Trust for Development, Aleppo City Council and the Agha Khan Foundation for Culture. It extends 65 meters and includes 57 shops that were destroyed during the war. It includes the professions of rope trade, gold and silversmithing, and Aleppo soap.

In her speech, Dr. Lubana Mushawah, Minister of Culture, explained that Aleppo al-Shahba is like a phoenix that rises from under the ashes every time in defiance of death, restoring life and spreading hope everywhere, stressing that hand in hand we will rebuild the country.

She pointed out that this agreement, with all its partners, and those who worked to build every stone and put every brick in these splendid edifices, prove day after day that Syria is resistant to darkness and ugliness.

The Governor of Aleppo, Hussein Diyab, said in his speech: “Aleppo has never left the minds of President Bashar al-Assad and Mrs. Asma al-Assad. Thinking about Aleppo for them stems from the city’s ancient history and the story of its sons with work and production, its sons who defied terrorism and rose despite the war, with every workshop, factory and market.”

He added that their support bloomed at the beginning in the market of al-Saqatiyah and now in the market of Khan al-Harir and Pistachio Square, and work continues towards the markets of the whole city.

Diyab stressed that Old Aleppo is an economically connected artery to the industrial city in Sheikh Najjar, and old Aleppo is an authentic part of Aleppo’s identity and its economic, social and historical heart that has been beating over the past centuries.

In a statement to news reporter, Shadi Al-Alshi, CEO of the Syrian Trust for Development, spoke about the secretariat’s insistence on rehabilitating and restoring the Khan Al-Harir, Al-Saqatiyah and Pistachio markets despite all the challenges and ruin and destruction that exist, underlining  the importance of opening the Khan Al-Harir market and Pistachio Square, which are one of the main entrances to the straight street and the markets in the old city.

Dr. Ali Ismail, Director of the Agha Khan Trust for Culture, explained that the work of the Foundation is part of the work of a homogeneous team of several parties involved in restoring life to the markets of Aleppo, where work was carried out with enthusiasm to give spirit and hope embodied on the ground.

After that, a short film was shown highlighting the stages of the restoration process of Aleppo markets and the roles of all the participating parties.

The City Nights event continues until the first of September and includes artistic, heritage and musical activities, exhibitions and competitions for traditional costumes.

K.Q.