Aleppo-SANA
Celebrated this evening by lighting the Peace Tree and the Christmas Grotto with the participation of the heads of the Christian denominations and a number of Islamic clerics within the Christmas Village Festival that was held in Al-Hatab Square in the Al-Jadida neighborhood of Old Aleppo, which included an evening of Christmas hymns performed by the Anglo Choir and instrumentals of the brass band of the Armenian Youth Scouts Association.
Director of Public Relations for Christian sects and a member of the Christmas Village Organizing Committee, George Bakhash, explained in a statement to SANA reporter the importance of today's celebration of lighting the tree of peace, which coincides with the anniversary of the birth of Christ and Aleppo's victory over terrorism. The Syrian Arab Army is the one who achieved victory and liberated Al-Hatab Square and Aleppo.
Archbishop Boutros Marayati, head of the Armenian Catholic community in Aleppo, said that this day is the day of brotherhood and fraternity, in which we gather to celebrate the birthday of Christ, where we glorify God, and call for peace and love among people, and that the tree is nothing but a symbol of giving, love and brotherhood among all the people of the same country.
Bishop Boutros Qassis, the Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Aleppo, explained that today's celebration brings joy to all the people of Aleppo in the Al-Hatab Square area, which carries great symbolism and witnessed a great deal of destruction and pain.
Rev. Dr. Harutyun Suleiman, head of the Armenian Protestant community in Syria, said: Today we have won by our presence in Al-Hatab Square, and Aleppo's victory over terrorism coincides with Christmas and New Year's holidays, and Syria is the cradle of civilizations.
For his part, Khoury Shukri Touma, pastor of St. George Church in the Syriac neighborhood of the advanced priests of the Syriac Diocese of Aleppo, said that today we celebrate the six-year anniversary of the liberation of Aleppo and the new Christmas holidays.
Maral Amchian of the New Generation Association indicated that it participates in woolen handicrafts and clothes on the occasion of Christmas to achieve a better income for families and instill joy in the hearts of the people.
Ani Minassian, from the Cross Association for the Aid of the Armenians, pointed out that her participation in the Christmas village coincides with the atmosphere of joy and the victories of Aleppo, while Abeer Rizk from the Heart Meat project, which means heart to heart, noted for encouraging the participation of productive women in the festival and benefiting from marketing products at reduced prices.
Lara Artin said: She displays her handcrafted sweets at home and presents her on birthdays to draw joy on children's faces, while Talin Makroyan talked about sharing handicrafts from mosaics with Christmas paintings and offering them at encouraging discounts for visitors.
Qusai Razzouk
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