Among the demonstrators, the flag used by the Islamist militia during the recent offensive in Syria is waving. The atmosphere is carnival-like.
Sara Al-Azmeh never thought this day would come. A dark era is over, she states.
This is a historic day for all Syrians, both in Syria and in exile. We know that we have a long way ahead of us, but for us, it means a lot that the regime has fallen.
Wants to help rebuild
The dictatorship in her home country has been devastating, according to Sara Al-Azmeh – and she is certain that she represents many Syrians who have lived abroad for a long time in their desire to help rebuild the country.
There is a concern about the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Shams (HTS), which has overthrown the regime, and their intentions in the country, according to Sara Al-Azmeh. But the liberal opposition she belongs to believes that the regime's methods have been a decisive factor in the Islamization of the opposition – the mosque was the only place where people could gather to speak freely, she says.
There is a counterforce. I stand here and represent it, and I have very, very many with me.
"Our first day of freedom"
Ayman Alhameed has had his flag in a drawer since he came to Sweden ten years ago. Now he dares to wrap it around himself and go out to celebrate "as a proud Syrian" in his second homeland – Sweden, he says.
We are here because it is our first day of freedom, without the al-Assad family. We have longed for this day for fourteen years, and now we are finally free.
He thinks of friends and family he has lost and thanks Sweden at the same time for opening its doors "when we needed it".
