What is Marmarita Carnival in Syria?

Marmarita Carnival is a celebration of heritage and unity.
The village of Marmarita transforms every summer into a vibrant festival of culture and celebration with the Marmarita Carnaval. This annual event, held in August has become a symbol of creativity and Marmarita, part of the historically significant Wadi al-nasara (valley of the Christians). The Carnival consists of a series of events that include traditional music, dance, and fun experiences.

The Christian Community

Syria became home to various Christian denominations including the Syriac Orthodox church, the Greek Orthodox church, and the catholic church. The Christian community in Syria is an integral part of the nation’s historical and cultural identity. Before the civil war, Christians made up approximately 10% of Syria’s population, numbering around 2.5 million. They were predominantly concentrated in major cities like Damascus, Aleppo, Homs, and the coastal region of Latakia, as well as in smaller towns and villages such as Marmarita in the Wadi al-Nasara. This region, with its numerous churches and monasteries, is a testament to the historical and spiritual significance of Christianity in Syria.

About the Carnival

The festival has attracted international visitors from all over the world to experience the warmth and hospitality of the Syrian people. despite the challenges in Syria, the festival serves as a reminder of the immortal spirit of the Syrian people and their commitment to protecting their culture and traditions, also, if you are interested in such festivals read more.

Music and dance

Traditional music

Syrian performers and musicians fill the air with traditional sounds, the beat of the darbuka, the strumming of the oud, and the melodies of mijwiz through the carnival, creating a stunning atmosphere that makes the streets of Marmarita come alive. you can read more about the traditional musical instruments

Traditional dance

For folk dances, such as dabke, you will see young and old people joining hands and stepping harmoniously and performing in public spaces, don’t hesitate to join them, feel free to ask your guide at any time.

Culinary Experience

Visitors can enjoy dishes such as Shawarma, hummus, falafel, and a variety of Syrian delicacies, also desserts like Maamoul, and baklava are available. Similarly, local chefs demonstrate traditional cooking techniques, allowing visitors to learn about the secret recipe for Syrian dishes ( I think it’s no longer a secret). here are some of the famous dishes to try in Syria.

 Community activities

Diverse games and competitions are organized for all ages.

Children activities

A special area in Marmarita Carnival is designed for children, for painting, craft workshops, and storytelling sessions.

Spiritual celebrations

Religious ceremonies

since the region’s majority is Christian, religious ceremonies are an integral part of the Carnival reflecting the community’s spiritual heritage.

Choral performances

church choirs perform during the festival, adding a spiritual and relaxing vibe to the celebration.

History and Culture

You can get a lot of information from your Syrian Scope Travel’s guide about Marmarita and the surroundings like Wadi al-Nasara, ancient churches, and castles. check out the most attractive sites to visit in Syria

Costumes

Costumes not only add color and excitement to the event but also, reflect the rich cultural heritage and creativity of the participants. Alongside traditional costumes, there are modern costumes that reflect the fashion sense of the community while honoring their heritage. These can include bright colors, and creative designs that go beyond traditional or historical themes. For the children, fairy tale and fantasy-themed costumes are popular, some costumes are designed purely for fun.

life is short, so book your trip to Marmarita Carnival now.

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    Josh
    Josh
    2024-06-23
    Lulu was our tour guide in Damascus in October 2022 and she was the best guide we could‘ve hopefully for! We had a tight schedule so we asked to see as much as possible, which she happily obliged to. She has a very interesting background, knowing every last bit of the city, its culture, history and food! She speaks multiple languages, including Japanese (!) and was just a fantastic guide to have. 10/10 would recommend.
    Samantha Echeverria
    Samantha Echeverria
    2024-06-23
    An extraordinary and humbling experience. From start to finish the whole experience was an adventure, learning of the Syrians deep history gives a great insight to their collective strength and dedication to their culture. To walk the same footsteps as mentioned in the Bible and Quran is profound and indescribable. Overall I was incredibly humbled by my experience in Syria. Thank you again for the experience of a lifetime, and I look forward to coming back to Syria soon 🤲🏼
    Per Sommer
    Per Sommer
    2024-05-31
    Jeg rejste tre dage sammen med Tambi i det nordlige Syrien. Det var en uforglemmelig oplevelse. Sammen besøgte vi Homes, Krak de Chevaliers, Maloula, Aleppo, Arward Island og Apamea. Ikke bare er Tambi blevet en god ven, men han har også en kæmpe viden om de steder, som vi besøgte. Et af højdepunkterne var også at være på besøg hos Tambi i hans lejlighed og møde hans kone. Her fik vi te, kager og en god snak om oplevelserne under den lange krige. Jeg kan kun give Tambi mine varmeste anbefalinger.
    Marco Arenas
    Marco Arenas
    2024-05-31
    I was in Syria a few years ago doing a little tour with Ayoub and the experience was amazing, Ayoub and his team were marvelous guides all around the country, making the most of the trip. Their service is amazing. I highly recommend Ayoub because he is reliable and well-organized. I am looking forward to coming back to Syria!
    Junaidi
    Junaidi
    2024-05-21
    I recently had the pleasure of exploring Syria with Tambee as our tour guide, and I can't recommend him highly enough. Tambee’s deep knowledge of Syria's rich history and culture brought every site we visited to life. His passion for the country was evident in the way he shared stories and historical insights, making the experience both educational and enjoyable. Tambee’s professionalism and attentiveness were remarkable. He ensured our group felt safe and comfortable at all times, handling all logistics seamlessly. His ability to navigate the complexities of travel in Syria, combined with his warm and friendly demeanor, made our journey both smooth and memorable. What I really love is his knowledge of Islamic History. The way he told me the History of Islam while we are standing on the historical site itself just gave me goosebumps. He can make the history comes to life. In summary, Tambee is an exceptional tour guide whose expertise and dedication significantly enhanced our Syrian adventure. If you're planning a trip to Syria, do yourself a favor and contact Tambee. You won't be disappointed!
    Joel Lara
    Joel Lara
    2024-05-20
    Everything on the tour was amazing. Whatever you need to feel comfortable, they will go out of their way to make sure you feel okay. Tambi was our tour guide and I honestly would not have switched anything about it. He is one of the best tour guides I’ve ever met. Someone that is really passionate about sharing the past, present and future of Syria. You need to book your trip to Syria as soon as possible. There is so much history to be seen in this country. Do yourself a favor and don’t listen to what western media would say about this country. Saying it’s all about terrorism and dangerous, that’s a HUGE lie, go see for yourself how kind and loving those people in Syria are. As for the war in Israel, it feels really safe in Syria. You going there gives people hope for a better future. Visa costs depend on nationality. As a US citizen my Visa was pretty costly 220$. It was WORTH IT!
    Cymbie Lumbao
    Cymbie Lumbao
    2024-05-20
    Syria was definitely on our list of country to visit. It exceeded our expectations! Syrians are the most hospitable and warmest people we have ever met. The history is amazing! Tambee is our tour guide and Tayseer is our driver. They are the best! Tambee is very passionate about his country and their history. We felt really safe and well taken care of. We would definitely visit again. We went in for a tour of Syria and came out with a lifelong Syrian friends! 🙏🏽🇸🇾 thank you for a wonderful experience! Shukran!
    Rahul Mudumba
    Rahul Mudumba
    2024-05-19
    Tambee was fantastic, and made sure I had an incredible trip!
    Filippo Volpato
    Filippo Volpato
    2024-05-18
    Tambee was the most exquisite guide we could have ever wanted. Always attentive, extremely knowledgeable and open to adjust the itinerary based on your interests (expect surprises for you!). Hopefully we will be back to this beautiful country, that Tambee made us fall in love with.
    Michael Van Arragon
    Michael Van Arragon
    2024-05-18
    Ask for Tambee! There is so much to learn about the history and future of our shared humanity in this important and beautiful country. I travelled 10 days across a large part of Syria and wish I could've stayed. Tambee who emphasizes the "intangible" is a talented and enthusiastic story teller with an amazing personal connection to the people and culture. He will help you come away with a big picture appreciation of everything youre seeing and with a specialist's attention to detail; help you deepen your own sense of what is happening today in the region. These are some seriously friendly people- a visit to Syria like this one is so special.
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