- Title: Santa pyjamas and decorations - Damascus draped in Christmas cheer
- Date: 24th December 2019
- Summary: DAMASCUS, SYRIA (DECEMBER 19, 2019) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF SANTA-THEMED LINGERIE ON DISPLAY AT SHOP GARMENTS IN RED COLOUR ON DISPLAY AT SHOP VARIOUS OF SANTA-THEMED LINGERIE ON MANNEQUINS SALESWOMAN, SEDRA JABBAN, CHECKING SANTA-THEMED LINGERIE LINGERIE ON DISPLAY AT SHELF (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SALESWOMAN, SEDRA JABBAN, SAYING: "It is the season for (Santa-themed lingerie). It only appears in certain seasons like the New year, so we sell them two months ahead. Sales for such goods are 100 percent." DAMASCUS, SYRIA (DECEMBER 18, 2019) (REUTERS) CHRISTMAS TREE IN QASSA DISTRICT / TRAFFIC TOY SANTA AND CHRISTMAS TREE TOY SANTA NEXT TO UNDERWEAR IN SHOP CHRISTMAS-THEMED GARMENTS IN SHOP SANTA CLAUS DECORATIONS VARIOUS OF SHOP OWNER, JOSEPH YASHOUA', PUTTING SANTA HAT ON MANNEQUIN (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SHOP OWNER, JOSEPH YASHOUA', SAYING: "It is a difficult financial situation for everyone. And anyone would give gifts according to their limited budget. We hope it would be a good year for everybody." VARIOUS OF CHRISTMAS GOODS AND DECORATIONS AT GIFT SHOP SANTA-SHAPED INFLATED TOYS HANGING SANTA HATS AND GIFTS AT STREET STALL / SANTA-SHAPED INFLATED TOYS CHRISTMAS TREES IN FRONT OF SHOP CUSHIONS WITH SANTA CLAUS DRAWN ON THEM CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS IN GIFT SHOP VARIOUS OF CUSTOMERS CHECKING CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS IN SHOP (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SYRIAN MAN, AMIN AL-SOUS, SAYING: "It has become really difficult to buy gifts or anything to people at home. One is trying to put priorities, securing the necessities first, including food and books and notebooks for the kids. For someone like me who has four kids, it is very difficult to buy gifts. It is a big burden on the citizen because of the conditions we are living in." VARIOUS OF SANTA DECORATIONS, PLATES AND MUGS ON DISPLAY
- Embargoed: 7th January 2020 13:36
- Keywords: Christmas celebrations in Syria Christmas season in Damascus Santa Claus Santa Claus-themed decorations Syria
- Location: DAMASCUS, SYRIA
- City: DAMASCUS, SYRIA
- Country: Syria
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVA001BBC3UC5
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Santa-themed mugs, decorations, ornaments and even lingerie lit up the Christmas mood in the Syrian capital Damascus, in a country hit hard by almost nine years of war and battered economy.
Shops are filled with Santa-themed lingerie and homewear, with sellers saying they prepare for the festive season at least two months in advance.
But with the Syrian economy shut out of the global financial system by Western sanctions, sellers and customers alike say many cannot afford to buy the goods.
Amin Al-Sous, father of four, says he has to set his own priorities.
International sanctions against the Syrian government, damage to the country's industry from the conflict, and panicked Syrians' sending their money abroad have pushed the Syrian currency down sharply during the war.
(Production: Kinda Makieh, Firas Makdesi) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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