Celebrating Christmas in Damascus

Published December 24th, 2018 - 08:25 GMT

By Ewelina Lepionko

This year's Christmas in Syria is a reminder  of the Christain holy festivities before war.

It is heartwarming with people peacefully partaking in early Christmas celebrations with singing carols in Damascus.

For the first time in over 7 years, residents of Syria’s Damascus can celebrate Christmas in their capital city without the fear of terrorism that loomed all over the country.

People dressed as Santa Claus gather around a Christmas tree in the capital' central neighbourhood of Qassaa to celebrate.

The biggest Christmas tree in Damascus, standing over 30 meters tall, was lit up at Abbasiya Square as part of a festivities organized by the Action Project to celebrate Christmas and the New-Year.

As Christmas and the New Year approach, Syrians in Damascus shopped for gifts, candies and decorations at marketplaces.

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People dressed as Santa Clausand (Jalal Ibrahim Photography, Twitter)

People dressed as Santa Clausand (Jalal Ibrahim Photography, Twitter)

Syrians shop at a marketplace in the old city of Damascus (Twitter)

Festivities organized by the Action Project to celebrate Christmas and the New-Year in Damascus (Twitter)

Syrian people dressed as Santa Claus walk in the capital Damascus' central neighbourhood of Qassaa to celebrate Christmas early on December 22, 2018. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP

Syrian people dressed as Santa Claus walk in the capital Damascus' central neighbourhood of Qassaa to celebrate Christmas early on December 22, 2018. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP

Syrians pose for a picture as they gather around a Christmas tree in the capital Damascus' central neighbourhood of Qassaa on December 21, 2018. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP

Festivity organized by the action project to celebrate Christmas and the New-Year in Damascus (Twitter)

People dressed as Santa Clausand (Jalal Ibrahim Photography, Twitter)
People dressed as Santa Clausand (Jalal Ibrahim Photography, Twitter)
Syrians shop at a marketplace in the old city of Damascus (Twitter)
Festivities organized by the Action Project to celebrate Christmas and the New-Year in Damascus (Twitter)
Syrian people dressed as Santa Claus walk in the capital Damascus' central neighbourhood of Qassaa to celebrate Christmas early on December 22, 2018. 
LOUAI BESHARA / AFP
Syrian people dressed as Santa Claus walk in the capital Damascus' central neighbourhood of Qassaa to celebrate Christmas early on December 22, 2018. 
LOUAI BESHARA / AFP
Syrians pose for a picture as they gather around a Christmas tree in the capital Damascus' central neighbourhood of Qassaa on December 21, 2018. 
LOUAI BESHARA / AFP
Festivity organized by the action project to celebrate Christmas and the New-Year in Damascus (Twitter)
People dressed as Santa Clausand (Jalal Ibrahim Photography, Twitter)
People dressed as Santa Clausand (Jalal Ibrahim Photography, Twitter)
People dressed as Santa Clausand (Jalal Ibrahim Photography, Twitter)
People dressed as Santa Clausand (Jalal Ibrahim Photography, Twitter)
Syrians shop at a marketplace in the old city of Damascus (Twitter)
Syrians shop at a marketplace in the old city of Damascus (Twitter)
Festivities organized by the Action Project to celebrate Christmas and the New-Year in Damascus (Twitter)
Festivities organized by the Action Project to celebrate Christmas and the New-Year in Damascus (Twitter)
Syrian people dressed as Santa Claus walk in the capital Damascus' central neighbourhood of Qassaa to celebrate Christmas early on December 22, 2018. 
LOUAI BESHARA / AFP
Syrian people dressed as Santa Claus walk in the capital Damascus' central neighbourhood of Qassaa to celebrate Christmas early on December 22, 2018. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP
Syrian people dressed as Santa Claus walk in the capital Damascus' central neighbourhood of Qassaa to celebrate Christmas early on December 22, 2018. 
LOUAI BESHARA / AFP
Syrian people dressed as Santa Claus walk in the capital Damascus' central neighbourhood of Qassaa to celebrate Christmas early on December 22, 2018. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP
Syrians pose for a picture as they gather around a Christmas tree in the capital Damascus' central neighbourhood of Qassaa on December 21, 2018. 
LOUAI BESHARA / AFP
Syrians pose for a picture as they gather around a Christmas tree in the capital Damascus' central neighbourhood of Qassaa on December 21, 2018. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP
Festivity organized by the action project to celebrate Christmas and the New-Year in Damascus (Twitter)
Festivity organized by the action project to celebrate Christmas and the New-Year in Damascus (Twitter)

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