After the suffering caused by ISIS ten years ago in Al-Hamdaniya, Iraq, the city now glows with the spirit of Christmas and renewed hope. The celebrations, in this predominantly Christian city, extend beyond homes and churches to fill the streets and public squares.
Rivan Esho, director of the House of Baghdida Museum for Syriac Heritage, who participated in reviving the "Christmas Cart" tradition, explained that this year, the institution decided to present a donkey-drawn cart to tour the district and distribute sweets to children. Esho said, "We wanted to bring joy to the hearts of children from various communities in Al-Hamdaniya.
Volunteers dressed as Santa Claus gather around the cart, adding a touch of Christmas spirit to the atmosphere. They distribute gifts and spread joy among the children amidst their laughter and carols filling the air.
Hanaa, a woman from Baghdida, wearing traditional handmade attire, accompanied her grandchildren, who are learning the meanings of Christmas decorations. She said, "Every year we repeat the decorations, adding balls, stars, and angels that symbolize the continuity of life and the birth of Christ." She added that the tree and decorations change according to economic and social conditions, but the joy of the holiday remains the same no matter how times change.
The churches in Al-Hamdaniya also donned their Christmas attire to welcome the newborn. The Archdiocese of Mosul for Syriac Catholics hosted several activities in recent days. Christmas evenings and carols in various languages heralded the birth. The activities also included making traditional sweets and foods such as cakes and kleicha, with everyone participating in their preparation through recipes passed down through generations.
