Syrian women make ‘Thank You’ calendar for Russian military (PHOTOS)
In a gesture of gratitude amid the ugliness of Syria’s civil war, a number of young Syrian women have made a New Year’s calendar for Russian soldiers. Wearing a modern interpretation of traditional Russian attire, each delivers a personal message.
The young ladies, collaborating with the Moscow-based non-commercial organization Citizen for the photo shoot, all wore white, while the headdress was an interpretation of a Russian kokoshnik, the work of designer Kirill Mintsev.
Every month on the calendar, one of the 12 Syrian women has a witty message for the Russian servicemen.
"Is that your carrier parked at the Syrian shore?" one caption goes.
New Year’s Day approaches just as the battleground city of Aleppo is in its final stages of liberation, amid a major international blame game.
"It's important for the organizers and participants of this project that those who are fighting terrorists know what real daughters of Syria think of them," the press release from the calendar's authors says.
Every model represents a particular city: there are Tartus (home to the Russian base in Syria), Latakia, Homs, Suwayda and, of course, Aleppo.
The dates marked on the calendar's pages are not state holidays, but rather important events for the Syrian campaign or simply noteworthy days for the Russian military.
October 7 is one of those, being the birthday of the Russian Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Putin.
"Tell me who your commander-in-chief is and I'll tell you who you are" is the month's message.
Here is what Maram Himsi, a native of Aleppo and the model for September, had to say: “Participation in this calendar was for me a way to say ‘thank you’ to those protecting my family and loved ones; those who are now stationed in my hometown Aleppo – and the calendar is really the least I could do to express my gratitude to the Russian soldiers.”
The presents will arrive to Russia on December 17 via a humanitarian Emergencies Ministry flight, but the calendar can also be viewed digitally here.
