(COVID-19): Christmas and the festive period in Syria
Christmas is that time of the year which we all wait for eagerly. People travel hundreds of miles to spend time with their beloved ones during this holiday season. The celebration begins weeks ahead, starting with setting up the Christmas tree, buying gifts and cooking special dishes.
Competition in decorating the city is at the highest level, houses, squares, restaurants and shopping malls. People throng in their thousands to see this and to be a part of the festivities. The streets are lined up with beautiful festive lights. Restaurants are usually overbooked and you see happy smiling faces everywhere.
The aroma of freshly baked Mamoul and cookies, the presents placed near the Christmas tree to be opened later on, and the family gatherings; these beautiful traditions keep the little ones excited for days. Truly, Christmas is a time to rejoice before the year ends.
However, Covid19 makes this year unlike all others!Shopping malls, restaurants, parks, theatres, and every other public place will not bear the same look as it always does during this time of year, the usual crowd of shoppers and passers-by will be missing.
The safest way to celebrate Christmas this year is with your own household in your own home and to keep any interaction with other households to the minimum. This is by far the safest way to spend this Christmas and keep your beloved ones safe.
Despite the pande
mic, Santa is coming to cheer up kids in Syria, to draw smiles on their faces and to surprise them with his big bag filled with presents.
The year 2020 has been different, somehow difficult for all of us in many ways. Let us ensure that we stay indoors and enjoy this holiday season as much as possible. This Christmas for most families will be passed in a different way from the family tradition, we still can make it memorable in a happy way for years to come.
From Syria Milad Majid (عيد ميلاد مجيد) which means ‘Glorious Birth Feast’
Reported by: Lara Khouli
Photos by: Mahfouz Abu Hadir
Here are some pictures to show the Christmas Celebration in different areas in Syria:
