In presence of representative of President Bashar Al-Assad, four ancient markets reopened in Aleppo old city
In the presence of the representative of President Bashar al-Assad, Secretary-General of the Presidency of the Republic, Mansour Azzam and Minister of Culture in the caretaker government Lubana Mushaweh, four markets in the old city of Aleppo were reopened on Wednesday after their restoration from the damage caused by terrorism. Also, Aleppo Community Center, affiliated with the Syria Trust for Development, was officially inaugurated.
The four markets are “Al-Ahmadiya, Al-Habbal, Al-Saqatiyya 2 and Al-Haddadin”, which are part of the markets of the Straight Street in the old city of Aleppo.
The reopening of the markets came with the wide participation of the people in Aleppo and the governorate’s commercial, industrial and cultural bodies, representatives of the Syria Trust for Development, and a number of governmental and non-governmental organizations and bodies.
The restoration came to deepen constructive partnership by governmental bodies, organizations and non-governmental institutions, Aleppo City Council, the Syrian Trust for Development, the local community and the people in Aleppo with the aim of restoring life to the old heritage markets.
The attendees toured the markets and viewed the restoration works that were implemented and they met with the owners of the shops, the number of which has now reached approximately 159 shops. All the heritage markets, the number of which has reached 37 markets in the old city of Aleppo will be restored.
In a statement to reporters, Secretary-General of the Presidency of the Republic Mansour Azzam noted that the restoration workers were carried out by the efforts of the people in Aleppo and the Syria Trust for Development, with the direct support and supervision of President Bashar Al-Assad.
He added that this work came thanks to the steadfastness and participation of the people in Aleppo, who have a strong will through which they were able to overcome terrorism, as we saw how these markets were destroyed and today the wheel of life is starting in them after their restoration.
In turn, Minister of Culture in the caretaker government Lubana Mushaweh, said that life is returning to the markets of Aleppo thanks to the efforts made, first and foremost by President Bashar Al-Assad, who paid great attention to this place, in addition to the cooperation of all the parties that restored, supported and worked day and night to restore life to these beautiful markets that were talked about in history and have their mark in Syria and the entire region as industrial, commercial and craft areas. This is a great effort that we hope will include all the affected Syrian cities.
After that, the attendees celebrated the launch of the Old Aleppo Community Center and its activation with all its components to provide its services to the people in Aleppo and economic parties.
The CEO of the Syria Trust for Development, Shadi Al-Alshi, gave a speech in which he thanked all the participating parties that contributed to the launch of the community center, including experts and specialists from the Ministry of Culture and the Old City working team who took it upon themselves to set up a development strategy to revive the old city.
He highlighted the historical and architectural structures in the old city, which includes more than 200 archaeological landmarks, including markets, inns, baths and hospitals, which were reflected in the lifestyles of the residents through economic activities professions and handicrafts.
He noted that the old city is considered as one of the most important landmarks registered on the World Heritage, reviewing the devastation and destruction that it suffered as a result of terrorism.
He spoke about the collaborative work approach and the plans that were implemented to restore it to facilitate the return of the residents to it, and what the Presidency of the Republic did to restore life to old Aleppo and achieve the vision of its people, thus launching the Old Aleppo community center and its contribution to the reopening of Aleppo markets.
Director of the Syrian Trust for Development in Aleppo, Jean Mughames, underlined the role of the Lighthouse in providing social, economic and legal services and financial assistance to residents and merchants in Old Aleppo with the aim of helping them return to their shops, noting the positive results achieved through contributing to the re-launch of seven markets and bringing life back to them, in addition to preparing to revive and launch the markets of Al-Muhammas, Al-Zarb, Al-Kheesh and Al-Arid.
Representative of Aleppo markets, Mahmoud Khoja, stressed the importance of the old markets of Aleppo, which were considered one of the largest commercial centers in the world, adding that the dream of the residents is being realized today by bringing life back to these markets through their reconstruction, thanks to the government efforts and the cooperation of the residents and community organizations. Life has returned to these markets which in turn herald the return of Aleppo as an economic and commercial capital in Syria and the world.
The ceremony included the screening of documentaries about the destruction and devastation that befell the old city of Aleppo and the efforts made by the Syrian Trust for Development in cooperation with government agencies and international organizations and institutions to bring life back to it, in addition to the services that the Lighthouse provides to the residents today.
The opening of the markets and the launch of the lighthouse were attended by the Governor of Aleppo, Hussein Diab, President of the Aleppo City Council, Dr. Maad Madlaji, the heads of the Chambers of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, and official and civil figures.
Inas Abdulkareem