Kurds and their allies are celebrating the Newroz of 2026. In all four parts of Kurdistan and across the world, Newroz squares are overflowing with crowds. The strong presence of women and youth at the celebrations is particularly striking. The mass mobilization that began with the demand to defend the Rojava Revolution and gained strength through the March 8 women’s actions is reaching its peak at Newroz. From the squares, calls for the “physical freedom of Abdullah Öcalan” are rising. Just like March 8, Newroz is also becoming a Newroz of “freedom for Abdullah Öcalan.”
Newroz celebrations have been underway since March 11. Although harsh winter conditions and increasing cold have led to the cancellation of celebrations in some places, they have not been able to dampen the great enthusiasm of the masses overall. It is clear that Kurds and their allies have come to grasp well the meaning and importance of the Peace and Democratic Society Process, which has entered its second year. Such a level of awareness was not present in last year’s celebrations, and this was reflected in them. Now, a higher level of awareness is being reflected, and the Newroz celebrations are taking on the atmosphere of a referendum in terms of embracing the Peace and Democratic Society Process.
Undoubtedly, this situation will have a significant impact on the process. It will positively influence Turkish politics, which is preparing to make legal arrangements after the holiday. We believe that just as the ruling and opposition circles have drawn correct and sufficient conclusions from the war intensifying in Iran, they will also draw the right and sufficient conclusions from the Newroz celebrations of Kurds and their allies, which resemble a human tide. Because the democratic future of Turkey depends on this.
Of course, Newroz has a history and a meaning. It dates back more than 2,500 years and is considered the oldest “Festival of Freedom” to be celebrated. It is narrated as the victory of Kawa the Blacksmith, who organized and united the people, over the tyrant king Dehak of the Assyrian Empire. In this sense, it represents both struggle and victory, as well as freedom and brotherhood.
Although such a historical consciousness and tradition exist, the level of Newroz celebrated today has undoubtedly emerged through the struggle led by Abdullah Öcalan and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). In other words, it is again connected to the concepts of struggle, victory, freedom and brotherhood. At the core of this development and realization are undoubtedly our heroic martyrs who advanced the struggle for freedom along the line of victory.
It is known that Newroz gained its contemporary meaning through the historic resistance of Mazlum Doğan, who illuminated the darkness of September 12 in the Diyarbakır (Amed) prison. Mazlum Doğan is called the “Modern Kawa” because he made such a historic decision during the Newroz of 1982 and carried it out with his life. Through the prison and guerrilla resistance that developed on this basis, denial was broken and the “Kurdish revival” took place.
With Abdullah Öcalan’s statement, “The revival has been completed, now it is time for freedom,” this time the resistance of women, lovers and pioneers of freedom, came to the forefront. In the 1990s, acts of self-sacrificing women’s resistance that gave meaning to Newroz took place across a wide geography extending from Diyarbakır to Izmir and from there to Europe. Historic acts of freedom were carried out by Zekiye, Rahşan, Ronahî and Bêrîvan, who became symbols of women’s resistance against the oppression of the classical male-dominated system. Thus, March 21 once again became Newroz.
This is how the Newroz of 2026 has been reached, a Newroz celebrated with the demands for the “physical freedom of Abdullah Öcalan and democratic Kurdish unity,” bringing Kurds into the streets wherever they are, regardless of snow, winter or cold. Indeed, there are Newroz events even in the smallest settlements. The level of enthusiasm and morale among Kurds and their allies is at its peak. The unwavering belief in the freedom of Abdullah Öcalan seems to inspire everyone. There is a complete atmosphere of victory and celebration. This year’s double holiday makes Newroz of 2026 the largest and most meaningful Newroz of all time.
Of course, we owe all of this to Abdullah Öcalan and to our heroic martyrs. Above all, we owe it to our Newroz Martyrs, beginning with Mazlum Doğan. Because they were able to foresee this day long in advance, they became the ones who carried out such historic acts. Each of them has become an enduring symbol of Kurdish existence and freedom. They revealed the correct path to understanding the reality of Abdullah Öcalan and to participating in this truth.
Following in the footsteps of these heroic martyrs and giving us inexhaustible strength on the path to the Newroz of 2026, two of our great martyrs have been Comrade Bavê Welat (Salih Muslim) and Comrade Gundî (Osman Kılıç). Like Mazlum, Zekiye, Rahşan, Bêrîvan and Ronahî, they have in a sense called for correctly understanding and strongly living the reality of Newroz.
Bavê Welat is one of the exemplary representatives of Apoist revolutionary practice, a figure who ran to every task, worked not by organizational instruction but guided by consciousness and purpose, deeply understood the reality of Abdullah Öcalan just like Mazlum Doğan and took part in the line of victory, becoming one of the most distinguished members of the Apoist commune through his way of life and work. He is filled with love for the country and freedom, conscious and enthusiastic, and a deeply patriotic and self-sacrificing personality. He is a laborer, pioneer, and leader of the historic Rojava Revolution. He is the symbol of the organized personality that Abdullah Öcalan has sought to create.
Comrade Gundî, with his unique intellect, tireless energy, and modest and hardworking character, made one of the greatest contributions to the media work of the Kurdish Freedom Revolution. By setting aside the polished and individualistic lifestyle of European modernity and, despite being of Arab origin, integrating with Kurdish society in the best way, he became a symbol of democratic nation-building. He knew how to make himself a symbol of Apoist revolutionary practice and fraternity.
It is clear that those who seek to understand the characteristics of the revolutionary, democratic and patriotic personality of the period will find Salih Muslim and Osman Kılıç before them. These figures not only succeeded in becoming examples in every respect for those around them during their lives but will also continue to be examples for those who seek Apoist revolutionary practice and patriotism, and to further develop Kurdish-Arab brotherhood.
Newroz means unity, freedom, and struggle. To become Newroz means to further develop the Apoist freedom struggle each year. It includes correctly understanding and successfully implementing the line of Abdullah Öcalan and the martyrs. It is clear that people who succeed in becoming Newroz know how to walk on the right path and in a strong manner at all times. Abdullah Öcalan and our Newroz Martyrs have succeeded in making the Kurds such a people.
On this basis, we salute everyone who fills the Newroz squares. Regardless of the conditions, we believe that in this Newroz dedicated to the physical freedom of Abdullah Öcalan, the people of Diyarbakır will write a new epic. We believe that the Newroz of 2026, which will write a full history from Diyarbakır to Frankfurt, from Rojava to Istanbul, will bring Abdullah Öcalan to conditions where he can live and work freely.
With this belief, we call on all Kurds and their allies to flow more strongly to the Newroz squares. We celebrate the Newroz of all our people and our allies, especially Abdullah Öcalan. We commemorate all our Newroz Martyrs, Comrade Bavê Welat and Comrade Gundî, with respect, love and gratitude.
Happy Newroz!
Source: Yeni Özgür Politika