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Historical artifacts returned to Syria from France, after being smuggled out of the country roughly 15 years ago, have gone on display at Damascus Citadel as part of a summer festival in the capital.
The artifacts were handed back to Syria during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Damascus and are now on display inside the citadel's Throne Hall.
The exhibition brings together funerary sculptures from Palmyra, relief inscriptions and various objects dating back to the Roman period, giving Syrians an opportunity to see the returned heritage up close after years outside the country.
Festival official Abdurrahman Amer said visitors had shown strong interest in the exhibition and were trying to find out more about the history and stories behind the objects.
He also pointed to the reopening of Damascus Citadel itself after many years as an important part of the event, saying some visitors were entering the site for the first time in their lives.
"People are visiting this citadel for the first time in their lives. At the same time, the return of these historical artifacts and their reunion with Syrians after many years is creating great happiness and excitement," Amer said.
Amer said the artifacts returned from France carried particular significance for Syrians because objects belonging to the country had finally come back.
"Thank God, our right has returned. As Syrians, the values that belong to us have reached us again," he said.
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