Marmarita Carnival, Syria 2023 | كرنفال مرمريتا

The town of Marmarita, located in the countryside of Homs Governorate, is distinguished by its unique annual carnival in Syria. On August 14 of each year, the people of Marmarita perform a festive carnival to celebrate the Ascension of the Virgin Mary.
Syrians come from all over the country to participate in this special event, and many Syrian expatriates organize their summer visit to the country so that they can attend the Marmarita Carnival.

The history of Marmarita Carnival:
On the evening of August 14, 1975, on the occasion of the celebration of the “Ascension of the Virgin Mary,” a group of young men and women residing in the town of Marmarita in the Syrian governorate of Homs and Syrian expatriates coming from Brazil spontaneously wore disguises and masks, Some of them drew artistic paintings on their bodies, and some of them took donkeys to participate his technical paragraph.

They all headed in one line towards the monument of the Virgin Mary in the village of Kafra, then returned following the same path, and these groups were making spontaneous exhibition movements that brought joy and pleasure into the hearts of the celebrants. This phenomenon was the first outburst, which was later called the carnival.

In successive years, and at the same annual time, the townspeople repeated this celebration, noting the increase in the number of participants in it, with the increase in the number of folklore forms and models different from its predecessors in the past years.

Later, with the large size of the 'carnival', a special path was set for it within the streets of Marmarita, where various means of transportation were used carrying paintings and manufactured figures, each of which had a special aesthetic. Many songs were organized specifically for the carnival, which were broadcast through loudspeakers, and the most beautiful thing that adorned the carnival was the participation of children who wore beautiful folkloric costumes, in addition to keeping pace with the scout bands that were marching at its forefront.

At the end of the "carnival", fireworks are launched, Dabkeh rings are held to the rhythm of drums and flutes, and various concerts are held that last until dawn.