- Title: SYRIA: Country pins hopes on tourism festival to revive ailing industry
- Date: 1st October 2013
- Summary: VARIOUS OF SUFI DERVISHES WHIRLING TO RELIGIOUS MUSIC BISHR RIAD YAZIJI LOOKING ON AT SUFI WHIRLING AUDIENCE APPLAUDS
- Embargoed: 16th October 2013 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Syrian Arab Republic
- Country: Syria
- Topics: International Relations,Politics
- Reuters ID: LVAA2D9DNY3FI6FHQHPYZ92PL1T
- Story Text: Syria's tourism industry lies in tatters after 2-1/2 year conflict that has seen anti-government protests and clashes sweeping across the country.
What was once a growing sector for Syria, accounting for 12 percent of the economy in 2010, has spiralled into decay.
Syria's Ministry of Tourism on Monday (September 30) poured its efforts into proving the industry could still be revived, despite ongoing conflict, as it officially marked the opening of a three-day tourism festival in the capital, Damascus.
Musicians, artists and merchants were invited to perform and display their wares at the event staged in Tukiyah Suleimanyah.
The site, built in 1554, was formerly a traditional avenue often frequented by tourists. Small cafes, shops and market stalls opened their doors to visitors in the hope of attracting long missing customers.
A band performing traditional Syrian songs in the open air welcomed visitors at the opening of the festival, with the lead singer crooning: "I miss you, the light of my eyes. Bring the old times back."
Syria's Minister of Tourism, Bishr Riad Yaziji attended the opening day said the festival, entitled 'Syria Will Rise Again,' aimed to revive the image of a civil Syria.
"Our mission is hard during the war. Currently we are promoting life while the other party is trying to make Syrian people wear black. This party is trying to make the culture of death dominate the life of Syrians. We all know the evil campaign being held in order to distort Syria's civilization. We will focus at this period of time on the cooperation between all youth development associations and emigrants in order to bring Syria's civil image back," Yaziji told Reuters.
But Yaziji's relaxed manner on Monday is far removed from the reality the country faces. The United Nations says more than 100,000 people have been killed in Syria since March 2011 when the government tried to crush pro-democracy protests that eventually became a full-scale war. Now more than half of Syria's 20 million people need aid.
The government organised event was not completely free of traces of the ongoing conflict.
Musician Ghaleb Badran had transformed a model gun into the musical instrument 'rababa.' Crowds gathered to watch the musician perform on the instrument that held symbolic meaning for many.
"We transformed this from an evil instrument into a good one. From a harsh thing that kills souls into another that brings the musical soul back. As you know, if you hit Syrian people with a stone they will respond with a fruit," he told Reuters.
Local Syrian charities, civil associations and other social groups took part in the festivities, which included an art exhibition and sales of handmade craft.
Maha Shahwan, a visitor attending the day's festivities said many Syrians were fed up with continued violence and most wished for a sense of normalcy.
"Syria is tired from these crises. This exhibition came to make people happy, especially as it shows us that Syria is still alive, it will stay alive and its people are alive and love their country," said Maha.
As the world argues over how to prevent more civilian deaths in Syria, the conflict continues to affect all sectors of civilian life including historic and archaeological sites that once attracted thousands of tourists.
UNESCO has warned that Syria's rich cultural heritage was being devastated. Clashes have damaged historical sites and buildings throughout the country, from Aleppo's Umayyad Mosque to the Crac des Chevaliers castle dating from the 13th century Crusades.
Facing a dramatic drop in regional and international visitors, the Syrian Tourism Ministry is focussing on rebuilding domestic tourism. But with clashes growing increasingly more violent in towns around the country, it is unlikely that many would brave the obvious risks involved, despite Syria's magnificent ruins and what is left of the once exotic bazaars. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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