by Hummam Sheikh Ali
AL-QUNAIYAH, Syria, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- As night fell over the small village of Al-Quniyah in Syria's northwestern Idlib countryside, the sound of drums echoed through narrow streets for the first time in years, mingling with children's voices singing Christmas songs beneath a brightly lit tree.
Fireworks briefly lit up the sky above the Latin Monastery of Saint Joseph, where villagers gathered to inaugurate a Nativity grotto and light the Christmas tree, a public celebration unseen here since the conflict in Syria erupted more than a decade ago.
"For 14 years of war and hardship, we were unable to celebrate Christmas openly," Father Khokaz Masroub, head of the Latin Monastery of Saint Joseph in Al-Quniyah, a predominantly Christian village, told Xinhua.
"Today, the people came together to celebrate this joy. The light you see in these decorations comes from the light in our hearts, a light of hope that we wish to spread across the entire country, a country we pray will be filled with goodness, peace and light."
Al-Quniyah endured the presence of multiple armed factions throughout the conflict, from Free Syrian Army groups to the Islamic State (IS) group and later Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and foreign fighters. Around 150 families, roughly 300 people, remained throughout the years of fighting, enduring severe shortages and insecurity.
Since political changes earlier this year, residents have begun returning steadily. The first organized return took place in August 2025, followed by a growing wave of families coming back. Today, around 300 families, or about 700 people, live in the village once again, with a noticeable rise in the number of young people after a local school reopened.
"This joy is overwhelming," George Younes, a young scout from the monastery and a native of the village, told Xinhua. "We were deprived of moments like this for nearly 15 years. Many of us left during the war, while our parents stayed behind. Now we are back, hand in hand, restoring the village decorations, lighting the streets, and bringing the true joy back to the hearts of children."
During the celebration, scouts marched through the village beating drums, while children gathered near the monastery, their faces illuminated by festive lights. For many residents, the scene symbolized a fragile but meaningful return to normal life.
Khalil Lammar, another young villager, also believed that the celebration carried deeper significance after years of hardship. "After 14 years of war, injustice, poverty and suffering, life is returning," he said. "We felt real joy again. We practiced our traditions here in our homeland, Syria, and felt love, unity and peace return to our lives."
While security in Al-Quniyah has largely stabilized with the support of local security forces, challenges remain. Infrastructure damage is extensive, economic conditions are still tough. Yet residents say the ability to celebrate publicly, especially during the holiday, reflects a cautious sense of renewal after years of displacement and fear. ■
