“I spend the Eid holiday visiting relatives, then monotony and sleep overcome me,” Tawfeek Al-Humaidi, a taxi driver, said, claiming there is no fit place he can go in order to enjoy the  Eid atmosphere.

He said he has never heard about any carnival that appeals to people and lets them feel interested during Eid.

“Some carnivals are held only during Eid.”

 Al-Humaidi's children wait for the carnivals shown on T.V. screens. They ask him to take them to venues, but it’s expensive.

He said he wishes to go with his family to other cities or governorate; however, his economic situation leaves him in Sana'a. Al-Humaidi is happy only when he visits his relatives.

Najat Abdul Wahid, a housewife and mother of one son and two daughters, said she prefers to remain at home; carnivals are not good enough to draw our interest.

“It is supposed that Eid ceremonies are diverse to provide a means of recreation for people and to alleviate their frustration.”

“I am fed up with the routine of going to a few gardens,” she said, hoping that she would see carnivals with numerous activities such as art, drama or acrobatics.

Wafa No'man, a nurse in Sana'a, opined identically.

“There are no interesting places or carnivals. I don’t know where to go.”

She said the government and the  people do not care about these carnivals; perhaps it is a lack of awareness.

“If there are carnivals, there are competitions and rewards,” No’man said. “This is monotonous.”

No'man said she does not like to go to the garden because families flock to such venues, crowding them.


Eid carnivals differ

Nawdir Band holds an annual carnival in Al-Sabeen Park called “Our Eid Carnivals are Different,” which aims to bring an interesting Eid atmosphere in addition to providing educating messages.

Abdulrazaq Al-Azazi, the band's information assistant, said they held their seasonal carnival in Eid, indicating this carnival involves many musical items such as poetry, acting and bodybuilding games.

He said the carnival continues for six days, starting with the second day of Eid. The carnival attempts as much as possible to instill happiness in people's hearts.

He hopes this carnival can be held everyday, not just at Eid.

“The fund obstructs this hope; there must be a budget for such activities.”

This is the eighth time the carnival has been held in Al-Sabeen Park.