Damascus, Dec. 6 (SANA) The Liberation Anniversary Week kicked off, on Friday evening, at the grounds of the Old Exhibition City in Damascus. Organized by Damascus Governorate, the event celebrates victory and liberation, featuring interactive activity tents for visitors and children’s games.
The week-long activities, continuing until next Monday, include participation from the Ministries of Culture and Emergency & Disaster Management, alongside volunteer groups such as “Molham,” “This is My Life,” “Gharas Al-Nahda,” “Child Rights Association,” and the Syrian Civil Defense. Neighborhood committees from Damascus—Qaboun, Jobar, Rukn al-Din, Al-Salihiya, Dummar, Bab Srijeh, Tadamon, Al-Qadam, Al-Midan, Kafr Souseh, Al-Mazzeh, and East Damascus Coordination—also joined.
Henadi Tanta, head of the volunteer team at Damascus Governorate Club, told SANA that the event aims to educate children and youth about the goals of the revolution and the reasons for liberation, especially since many did not witness its early stages.
Tanta explained that the club is currently revitalizing its volunteer programs through cultural, social, and sports activities as part of the first liberation anniversary events. She noted that the club continues to provide diverse activities to strengthen national awareness among the younger generation and introduce them to the club’s mission and programs.
Omar Al-Makkawi, awareness member at the Syrian Civil Defense under the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management, explained that their pavilion at the Old Exhibition City showcases the Civil Defense’s journey during the Syrian revolution. It features sections displaying the uniforms of Civil Defense members and their evolution from the founding moment to the revolution’s victory, along with demonstrations of search, rescue, firefighting, and war debris removal operations.
The pavilion also includes a section documenting award received by the directorate over 14 years, as well as an “interactive headset” that allows visitors to experience realistic simulations of scenes lived by Civil Defense members and camp residents during years of bombardment.
Al-Makkawi added that the pavilion also features a “message box” where visitors leave words reflecting their interaction with the exhibition and their experiences inside the tent. He noted that in the coming days, a new photography section will be launched, allowing families to take pictures inside models representing Civil Defense members, firefighters, and paramedics.
Nermin Al-Bayk, Director of Activities and Projects at the Rural Damascus Directorate of Culture, affirmed that the Ministry of Culture’s participation represents an important step in strengthening national cultural identity, spreading knowledge, supporting creators, and raising awareness of culture’s role in development, while also engaging directly with the public.
She added that the event features a wide presence of cultural activities, particularly those aimed at children, such as interactive activities, competitions, and gift distribution to promote knowledge and instil a culture of reading. The ministry’s pavilion also includes sections on traditional handicrafts and Arabic calligraphy, along with miniature models for children to learn about Syria’s heritage.
Liberation Week activities are part of the popular and official celebrations across Syria, marking the first anniversary of the great revolution’s victory over the oppressive regime and its dark era that dominated the country for many years. The events affirm the resilience and strong will of the people in confronting tyranny, embodying the sacrifices of both military and civilians, and delivering a message of hope for the dawn of a new chapter of freedom and national sovereignty.
MHD Ibrahim
