On Tuesday evening, under the auspices of the Damascus Governorate, the activities of the "Syrian Village" festival kicked off at the Umayyad Park in Damascus, amid a popular presence.‎

The festival will continue until July 10, and includes a market for sale with 172 pavilions, 60 of which have been allocated to associations and artisans free of charge, in support of small and family projects.‎

The festival also includes a variety of cultural and entertainment activities, including concerts, children's theatre performances, paragliding shows, as well as screens dedicated to broadcasting the most prominent sporting events, including the World Cup.‎

172 pavilions that combine "Sheikhs of Alkar" and productive family projects

The festival will witness the participation of 200 investment and commercial entities, including companies, investors, points of sale, artisans, and owners of small and productive projects, distributed over about 172 pavilions and points of sale that combine the aroma of the heritage represented by the "Sheikhs of Alkar" and start-ups.

According to those concerned with the festival, it includes a strategic plan to support local productive families by providing large spaces and integrated equipment that allows them to display their products without additional financial burdens, followed by providing technical and technical assistance in the fields of digitization and e-marketing after the end of the event to ensure the sustainability of their business and expansion in the markets.

The diverse market at the festival includes companies specialized in the food, clothing, and handicraft products that Syria has been famous for throughout the ages, as well as home projects.

The festival also allocated distinguished pavilions and an effective role for people of determination and Down syndrome patients in cooperation with humanitarian associations in support of their social integration, and more than 65 Syrian restaurants and wooden stalls to serve traditional dishes and traditional cuisine participate in the hospitality sector.

"Drift" Shows and World Cup Screens

On the entertainment and cultural front, the Syrian Village Festival offers play areas and spaces entirely dedicated to children and families, as well as a relaxation area that provides a suitable atmosphere for following the 2026 World Cup. The festival will also feature teasers, including "drift" shows for cars that rely on skill and control in collaboration with specialists.

The festival's daily activities include concerts by a number of Syrian artists, classical musical performances by the Syrian National Orchestra, as well as the presentation of meaningful theatrical works dedicated to children and heritage events that enhance the collective memory of Syria.

Advance Preparations

Preparations for the mega event continued over the course of a month and a half, during which the park was transformed into a vibrant beehive, with official expectations that between 15,000 and 30,000 visitors would flock to the festival daily.

The preparations included the preparation of an advanced and integrated infrastructure to accommodate visitors, by allocating 4 main doors to ensure the smooth flow of water, and the preparation of a comprehensive security system that includes a private security company, rapid intervention teams, ambulance and fire services in cooperation with government agencies, in addition to an organizational staff of university students to serve and guide everyone.