The Syrian presidency launched the final version of the country's new visual identity on Thursday evening, accompanied by celebrations in central squares in the capital, Damascus, and other governorates.
In a speech at a ceremony marking the occasion at the People's Palace in Damascus, President Ahmad al-Sharaa said that the new visual identity of the Syrian Arab Republic, launched today, "expresses a Syria that does not accept division or partition, a unified Syria," according to the official news agency SANA.
Al-Sharaa added, "Today's celebration is a symbol of the identity of Syria and its people in its new historical phase, an identity that derives its characteristics from this bird of prey (the golden eagle), from which it derives strength, determination, speed, mastery, and innovation in performance."
In the new identity, the golden eagle has replaced the eagle, with three stars added above it, representing "the liberation of the people," according to a statement from the Syrian Ministry of Information.
Likewise, five feathers hang from the eagle's tail, representing the five regions of Syria (northern, eastern, western, southern, and central). The eagle flies with 14 feathers, each representing a Syrian province. Each feather tells a story of glory and resilience over 14 years of glorious revolution.
The launch of the visual identity will be followed by practical steps, most notably the replacement of personal documents, most notably the "national identity card," and later passports, to conform to the new identity.
In his speech, Al-Sharaa added, "One day, in ancient times, the story of a city was born, where a group of people gathered. It is said that the story of the first creation began there, and the population multiplied. Because of their great numbers, humanity began to need to cultivate disciplined behavior. They planted, made, and built, and so on until they built the first capital known to humanity: Damascus."
He added, "Anyone who reviews history will find that Damascus is the beginning and end of the world's story, and it becomes clear that what we experienced during the era of the former regime was the most humiliating era in the history of Damascus."
The president continued: "O Syrian people, the story of the Levant continues with you. History tells us that the era of your decline has passed, the time of your renaissance has arrived, your blood was not shed in vain, your suffering was heard, your migration has ended, your prisons have been dissolved, and patience has brought you victory."
He emphasized that "the new visual identity of the state expresses the building of the Syrian person and restores the Syrian identity, which has become accustomed to migration in search of security and a promising future. We restore its confidence, dignity, and natural position at home and abroad."
For his part, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Sheibani emphasized, during the ceremony launching the new visual identity of the state, that "over the past months, Syrian diplomacy has not accepted the crumbling reality we inherited, and has been tirelessly working to restore Syria's international presence."
He added: "We met with many presidents who affirmed that they would provide support to our people in rebuilding their homeland, and in every meeting we carried a new face for Syria."
The Foreign Minister continued: "We worked on a discourse that portrays Syria in its true light, far from slogans, and that preserves the dignity of the Syrian citizen."
He continued: "We wanted to restore Damascus to its position as a gateway to the East, and our efforts were crowned by Syria's restoration of its status among nations. Our return to the international arena has transformed from a deferred wish into an established reality."
He continued: "We shape our features ourselves, not through the mirrors of others. What we need today is a national spirit that gathers the fragments of the Syrian identity."
He emphasized that "recognizing the diversity of the Syrian people is a starting point for the future, and this day is a declaration of the cultural death of all the injustice and corruption represented by the former regime, masked by slogans."
** Popular Celebrations
In conjunction with the launch of the visual identity, central squares in Damascus and other governorates witnessed events and celebrations to mark the occasion.
Celebrations are concentrated in the Umayyad and Unknown Soldier squares, the Exhibition City in Damascus, and the Exhibition Square in the Damascus countryside.
In addition to Sheikh Daher Square in Latakia (west), Saadallah al-Jabri Square in Aleppo (north), Seven Lakes Square in Idlib (northwest), Seven Lakes Square in Deir ez-Zor (east), and Asi Square in Hama (central), as well as other major squares in other governorates, including Latakia (west).
Earlier today, citizens received text messages on their cell phones from local telecommunications companies announcing the launch of the new state identity as a renewed symbol of "determination and emancipation in the sky of freedom."
On December 8, 2024, Syrian factions completed their control of the country, ending 61 years of bloody Baath Party rule, including 53 years of Assad family control.
On January 29, 2025, the new Syrian administration declared Sharaa as president of the country for a five-year transitional period.
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