Bethnahrin National Council institutions organize Christmas and New Year’s celebrations in North and East Syria amidst ongoing Turkish attacks

NORTH AND EAST SYRIA — On Christmas and the New Year, institutions of Bethnahrin National Council (Mawtbo Umthoyo D’Bethnahrin, MUB) in Syria held various celebrations in North and East Syria.

An event was held in Zalin (Qamishli) for children of members of the Families Center, Zalka kindergartens, families of martyrs, the Naum Faiq House for Culture and Art, and the Suroyo Media Foundation.

The celebration was held at the Families Center with the support of the Syriac Cross Organization of Relief and Development.

It included Christmas songs, the distribution of sweets and gifts for children, and folk dances.

In comments to our news desk, Georgette Barsomo, official of the Syriac Women’s Union (SWU) in Zalin, stated that despite the Turkish escalation in North and East Syria, the MUB institutions decided to hold these celebrations to bring joy to the hearts of children.

The Olaf Taw Association for Syriac Language also held Christmas and New Year celebrations for children on Christmas and New Year in Zalin.

The Syriac Progressive Youth Union in Syria organized a Christmas Carnival for children in Zalin. They distributed sweets and gifts for children in streets and neighborhoods across the city.

The Syriac Women’s Union (SWU) also organized a Christmas and New Year celebration for the children in town of Qabre Hewore (Qahtaniyah). The celebration included Christmas songs and dances. Gifts and sweets were distributed for children.

Member of the SWU Razan al-Baniyat stated that the celebration was attended by more than 60 children from Qabre Hewore and its countryside. She wished that the new year would bring good and peace for Christians and the whole world.

The Syriac Cultural Association in Hasakah also held a celebration at the Abd al-Masih Qarbashi House for Culture and Art, for children of the House.

Official of the Syriac Cultural Association in Hasakah Armin Mardo stated that the Turkish attacks on North and Eats Syria will not prevent the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) from expressing joy on their holidays.

Mardo thanked the institutions and organizations that supported the celebration and wished that the new year would bring good and peace for the whole world.