Souk Al-Hamidiyah was the final activity in Celebrating Syria Festival 2019. It took place on 9 November 2019 in Birch Community Centre. Named after the famous souk in Damascus, Souk Al-Hamidiyah Day was meant to be a day for family entertainment with damascene flavour.
People enjoyed traditional Syrian food and sweets, tasted the famous Syrian pistachio ice cream, and Arabic coffee and shopped the various Syrian products. The Syrian sprirt went all over the place as the visitors stepped in to learn the Dabkeh "a traditional dance in Syria" and danced along with the Syrians to the melodies of Syrian traditional songs.
This event is part of the third annual Celebrating Syria Festival that took place between 2 and 9 November 2019 and included 20 activities in different venues across Manchester. Considered one of the biggest if not the biggest of its kind in Europe, Celebrating Syria Festival aims to reflect the richness and diversity of Syrian heritage and culture.
It is the Syrians narrative about Syria! Where we as Syrians wish to change the narrative from that depicted in the media as one characterised by violence, pain and suffering, into one where Syria is seen as a country that, throughout history, has contributed immeasurably to human civilisation and world culture.
