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April 2010 - News
April 2010

What does Independence Day mean to you?

In 1946 former Syrian President Shukri al-Quwatli declared April 17 Independence Day, marking the date when the last French soldier left Syrian soil. Syria Today hit the streets of Damascus to ask what Independence Day means to ordinary Syrians.

Wjeh Khishfeh, 67, history teacher: “It is a day for remembering those great people who fought for our country and who died so that we could live. Every year on this day I take my family to Maysaloun to visit the grave of Yusuf al-Azma and to go hiking in the area. General Yusuf al-Azma led forces against the French advance. He is a martyr who went into a battle which was already lost. When Azma fought, he knew he would die for the glory of Syria. From Azma to President Bashar al-Assad, resistance hasn always been a key part of Syria’s fabric.”

Tarek Haifa, 23, accountant: “We usually go to Lattakia to visit my grandparents. It’s also a tradition for many Syrians, especially Lattakians, to spend the day at the village of Sheikh Saleh al-Ali. Ali played a key role in the resistance against French occupation. My family and I feel it is important that we visit his village every year.”

Ghazal Armoush, 37, housewife: “It isn’t a normal holiday for me. The thing I love about it is watching Syrian TV. It makes me remember the old days. In the afternoon we eat a special tabouleh dish with the children. Since it is spring, the weather is usually beautiful at night, so we take the children out to see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.”

Muhammad Shalfoon, 32, musician: “I usually go to Quneitra with my family. This day is always an opportunity to go and visit that part of our land which still needs to be liberated. The Golan Heights is still under occupation and I will only feel full happiness on Independence Day when I see our people returning to this land. Like other occupiers, the Israelis will someday leave our land; it’s a law of life.”

Assem Darwish, 22, student: “This day means a lot to Syrians. It’s good to visit the tombs of martyrs and the national museums. In Suweida we always go to Al-Qrayya, the village of Sultan al-Atrash who was the commanding general in the Syrian revolution in 1925. In the village we usually meet people from all over the country who have come to enjoy the music and entertainment organised by local authorities. We love the food, dancing and local traditions in the place.”