Marmarita Carnival in Valley of Christians cancelled amid security concerns

MARMARITA, Wadi Nasara — The organizers of the annual Marmarita Carnival, held in Wadi Nasara (Valley of Christians) to celebrate the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, have announced the event’s cancellation this year, citing security concerns and the current instability in the country. The decision also comes as a mark of mourning for the martyrs of the recent terrorist suicide bombing at St. Elias Church in Daramsuq (Damascus) in on 22June. 

Father Walid Iskandafi, priest at the St. Peter Monastery of the Melkite Greek (Rûm) Catholic Church in Marmarita, explained that the carnival typically attracts thousands of participants from both inside and outside Syria, making it a potential target for violence given the lack of adequate security guarantees. He added that there were fears the large gatherings could be exploited by extremists or unruly individuals, and that the cancellation was made to protect the safety of residents and visitors. 

The number of expatriates visiting the region this summer was lower than in previous years, Iskandafi noted, due to the ongoing security situation, which consequently affected the scale of the celebrations. 

Despite the cancellation, religious and community activities continued in Wadi Nasara. Summer camps for local youth, the annual kermes, and the summer club were held, albeit with more cautious programs and stricter safety measures. Security was reinforced at village and town entrances, with ID checks in place, particularly during the busy summer season. 

The cancellation of the carnival, one of the region’s most prominent cultural and social events, highlights ongoing concerns over Syria’s fragile security situation and underscores the impact of instability on civilians’ daily lives and their religious and social rituals.