Billeen and Werin Kehlo- The Sugar Festival
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Billen and Kehlo are sisters. Billeen is 10 and Kehlo is 8. They come from Damascus and have been living in Vienna for just over two very short years. Both attend regular Viennese schools and are happy in Vienna. But, there is one thing they miss when thinking of home. The Sugar Festival. This takes place at the end of the summer holidays and involves every child in Damascus. Simply put, it's the day that is specially for children. Dressed in their very best clothes, the children go knocking on doors, and, because they're expected, everyone has small bags of sweets ready and waiting. No child leaves empty handed.
And, the Sugar Festival is a family occasion as well. The whole family joins in with the making and baking of homemade sweets for this special occasion. And, as every child from Damascus will happily tell you, the preparation is just as much fun as the knocking on doors. And, then, of course, there's the eating. And, this takes a very long time. At least, two or three weeks. And, this is all part of the fun.
The Sugar Festival marks the end of the summer and the start of a new year at school. And, what a sweet way to do it. The Sugar Festival. Sweet memories of home for Billen and Kehlo.
