After 54 years the Assad regime in Syria has crumbled. Bashar al Assad has fled. Hundreds of political prisoners have been released from the notorious Sednaya gaol. Locked in underground cells, men, women, children and even a toddler, are now free.
Such regimes are often described as “evil”. But what is evil?
On Sunday afternoon I sat in the Savoy cinema watching a film of the André Rieu Christmas concert. Before the concert, smiling couples and groups from all over the world said that it had been a dream of theirs to come to Holland to enjoy this Christmas extravaganza.
And it is an extravaganza, a full-on entertainment. An orchestra, choir, soloists, instrumentalists, dancers and skaters. A huge empty space turned into a theatre for an audience of thousands and, thanks to computer technology, an ever changing winter wonderland.
At first I was irritated when the film flicked backwards and forwards between the performers and members of the audience. Then I relaxed and embraced the shared smiles, laughter, tears, hugs and kisses. People delighted, surprised and joyful. Human beings connected and happy.
The André Rieu experience suggested an answer to the question. Evil, whatever form it takes, always involves a disconnect – from ourselves and from other people. A disconnect from empathy, compassion and love. A connection that can be restored, because “Love came down at Christmas.”
Chris Dawson