In brief
As the remnants of the Assad regime fade, Syrians in Damascus are rediscovering their city and the freedoms that were suppressed for over a decade.
In Damascus, families are once again visiting Mount Qasioun, a symbolic site recently reopened after years of military closures during the civil war. Long-time resident Sumaya Ainaya, reflecting on her experiences, joyfully recalls weekends spent on the mountaintop enjoying coffee and festivities with loved ones. This celebration of life came to an abrupt halt in 2011 when civil unrest began and the military restricted access to public areas, turning a beloved leisure spot into a site of conflict.However, the New Year’s Eve celebration marked a turning point for Ainaya and her family. They returned to Mount Qasioun to reunite with old traditions, bringing along snacks and enjoying their freedom once more. “Thank God, we’ve returned now — we feel like we can breathe again,” Ainaya expressed, with her son Muhammad Qatafani adding, “We feel like the city has returned to us.”Across the city, a renewed sense of community and liberation is evident as citizens openly engage in activities that were once deemed unacceptable under the oppressive regime. Markets are vibrant again, with bustling trade in dollars and imported goods like Nescafe, embodying a newfound sense of ownership over their city. For many Syrians, these moments of celebration and freedom in public spaces offer a stark contrast to the years of oppression they endured, heralding a new era filled with hope and possibilities for a brighter future.
