The Kurdish New Year, Newroz, celebrations in Turkey and Kurdistan this year were organized under the slogan “Newroz of Freedom and Unity”. Hundreds of thousands gathered in the central squares of their cities in North Kurdistan (South-East Turkey) on Sunday to celebrate the Newroz festival as a symbol of resistance.
Elazığ
Hundreds of people attended the celebrations held at İstasyon Square in Elazığ. Havin Cirit, a member of the DEM Party Youth Assembly, emphasized that Newroz is not only a holiday but also a symbol of historical resistance.
DEM Party Dersim MP Ayten Kordu stated that the Newroz fire represents resistance against oppression and commemorated those who have struggled from the past to the present.
Ayten Kordu said: “We will definitely build a democratic society. The pioneers of this process will be women, youth, and our people. To this end, we must organize more. The struggle for democracy, freedom, and equality rests most heavily on the shoulders of young people and women.”
Peace Mother Fatma Tosun made a call for peace.
DEM Party Amed (Diyarbakır) MP Adalet Kaya stated: “The peace and democratic society process that has been ongoing for a year must now move forward with concrete steps. One side has fulfilled its responsibility. Now the state must also take the necessary legal steps. From here, from Elazığ, we renew our call.”
After the speeches, the Newroz fire was lit, and people danced to Kurdish music.
Bingöl
In Bingöl, many people attended the celebrations held in the Saray neighborhood. DEM Party Bingöl MP Ömer Faruk Hülakü stated that Newroz symbolizes the resistance and identity of the Kurdish people.
TJA (Free Women’s Movement) activist Gülistan Atasoy drew attention to the isolation imposed on Abdullah Öcalan and called for freedom, concluding with the following words: “We respectfully commemorate all the martyrs who made it possible for us to celebrate Newroz freely in these squares. We will repay our debt to them by further strengthening our struggle.”
The celebrations ended after dances and speeches.
Batman
Thousands of people attended the Newroz celebration in Batman province.
Addressing the crowd attending the event, which began with a moment of silence, DEM Party provincial co-chair Semra Güneş stated that the struggle would continue until Abdullah Öcalan’s physical freedom is ensured.
DEM Party Deputy Parliamentary Group Chair Sezai Temelli emphasized the “Third Way” and called for strengthening the struggle for a democratic society.
Temelli said: “We will expand this resistance and we will triumph. We will win through shoulder-to-shoulder solidarity. We do not accept an unequal life. Without unity, this struggle has no chance of success. We must unite and enhance the struggle. We are followers of the Third Way.”
Batman Municipality co-mayors Gülistan Sönük and Yeşil Işık also greeted the crowd and expressed their hope that Newroz would contribute to peace.
Member of the Imrali Delegation Pervin Buldan began her speech accompanied by chants of “Bijî Serok Apo” (Long Live Leader Öcalan).
Pervin Buldan stated that Öcalan sent special greetings to the people of Batman and emphasized that Newroz is a symbol of resistance and existence.
Referring to the peace process, Pervin Buldan said: “There are expectations for education in the mother tongue and for an end to the appointment of trustees to municipalities. We do not accept an approach that does not recognize the will of our people. Our people demand the release of prisoners. The conditions of Mr. Öcalan, who is the most important actor of the process, are still not suitable for managing this process. His path must be opened so that the process can reach peace.”
Pervin Buldan added: “This is not a time for delay, but a time for concrete steps.”
TJA activist Zekiye İlbasan stated that Newroz is a symbol of organization and struggle.
The grand Newroz celebration in Batman concluded with Kurdish traditional dances accompanied by chants of “Bijî Serok Apo” and “Bê Serok jiyan nabe” (No life without the leader).
Siirt
Thousands of people attended the Newroz celebration held in Siirt. The event, where a banner reading “Our identity is breathless freedom. Greetings to the one who carries the sun in their heart. Happy Newroz” was displayed, began with a moment of silence in memory of PYD Presidential Council Member Salih Muslim and the martyrs of the Kurdish freedom struggle. During this time, the crowd chanted “Şehîd namirin” (Martyrs are immortal).
In their speeches, Newroz Organizing Committee member and DEM Party Siirt co-chair Kenan Bilge, along with Siirt Municipality Council member Elif Akan congratulated the people on Newroz.
Democratic Unity Initiative co-spokesperson Mehmet Kamaç said: “They want to take away the gains of the Kurds and plunge their future into darkness. The Kurdish people will resist until they are free. The Rojava resistance is uncompromising. We bow before the martyrs in the person of Salih Muslim. With your sacrifices, Kurdistan will be liberated. This will be the century of the Kurds. In these historic times, Kurds need unity. If the Kurdish people unite, no force in the world can make them bow. Kurdish unity is a greater necessity than water and bread. Millions of Kurds are denied in the Middle East. Through our unity, we can build our future. Through our unity, we can achieve freedom and success. Mr. Öcalan’s manifesto has remained unanswered by Turkey. Historic steps must be taken without delay, and democratic laws must be enacted.”
DBP co-chair Çiğdem Kılıçgün Uçar, who spoke afterward, also congratulated the people on Newroz. She said: “In this cold, this will and this Newroz of freedom have been realized through the efforts of each of us, and it will ultimately result in freedom; the freedom of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan. For thousands of years, this fire has burned for equality and freedom. Newroz is not just a date on the calendar. For thousands of years, the Kurdish people have expressed their rebellion and objection by lighting this fire. Newroz is the objection of all the oppressed. Thanks to this objection, discussions are being held today about what kind of solution will be pursued in this geography. After years of denial of the Kurds, the parliament that institutionalized this denial is now debating what to replace it with. In this country’s legal system, Kurds, Alevis, and women are not recognized. The Kurdish people demand that the legal system change and the Kurdish people, as a founding people of this country, be included in this system as equal citizens. My mother tongue is my identity; I want to live in my mother tongue. When we speak Kurdish in parliament, the microphone is turned off. In Rojava, where Mr. Öcalan’s paradigm came to life, the people said, ‘We will not wage war—we will negotiate, we will pursue diplomacy,’ and they succeeded. Kurds came together around a single slogan. It was the resistance of the people of Rojava that led us to chant this slogan: ‘Rojava, Rojhilat, Kurdistan is one homeland.’ May your resistance endure.”
Uçar continued: “The struggle that cannot be stopped by prison walls says that Mr. Öcalan’s status must be clarified. We demand freedom for Mr. Öcalan. This freedom is also the freedom of the Kurdish people. The approach to Mr. Öcalan is the approach to the Kurdish people. After 27 years of resistance for freedom, Mr. Öcalan must be free, must meet with his people, and continue his struggle together with them. The Kurdish people will live with their mother tongue, with their identity, and with the democratic local governance they have demonstrated to the world. We want to govern ourselves, and to live with our language and identity. We want status. Status is the freedom of the Kurdish people. We congratulate all our friends in prison, especially Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan, on Newroz.”
After the speeches, the Newroz fire was lit by politicians. This was followed by circle dances accompanied by songs performed by Koma Vejîn and Hozan Arhat.
Antep
Despite heavy rain, masses attended the Newroz celebration in Antep’s İstasyon Square, displaying banners featuring photos of Abdullah Öcalan and placards demanding his physical freedom.
Photos of Salih Muslim, a member of the PYD Presidential Council who lost his life on March 11 in Erbil, were also shown by the participants. Abdullah Öcalan’s message sent to the Amed Newroz the previous day was read in Kurdish and Turkish.
Speaking at the event, DEM Party Bitlis MP Hüseyin Olan said: “This year’s Newroz is the Newroz of Freedom and Democratic Unity. Newroz has lived for 4,000 years with the fire burning since Kawa the Blacksmith and the Assyrians. The beginning of Newroz is historically significant. In Amed, comrades set their bodies on fire against oppression, saying ‘We exist, we are fire.’ On the other hand, women have been pioneers in the Kurdish struggle. Comrade Zekiye in Amed’s citadel, Comrade Rehşan in Kadifekale, set their bodies on fire saying ‘We are here too.’ For years, the Newroz fire has grown. In the past, perhaps few of us stood in these squares; now there are millions. On this Newroz, we call out to Mr. Abdullah Öcalan on Imrali Island: Happy Newroz.”
Democratic Unity Initiative spokesperson Gülcan Kaçmaz Sayyiğit said: “Dear mothers, young women and men, I congratulate you all on Newroz on behalf of the Democratic Unity Initiative. Despite the rain, you gathered here and raised your voices for freedom, equality, peace, and democratic unity. Thank you all.
For 40 years, there has been an intense war and a policy of destruction has been carried out against the Kurdish people. On February 27, Mr. Abdullah Öcalan initiated the Process for Peace and Democratic Society. We want the Kurdish question to be resolved in a peaceful and democratic way. A commission was established in parliament to work on this issue and a joint report was prepared. This commission and its report are very important for us. However, the small steps taken by the state are not sufficient. There are hundreds of seriously ill prisoners still behind bars. Selahattin Demirtaş and other friends must be released, and the way for democratic politics must be opened. The status of the Kurdish language and culture must be recognized. If Mr. Abdullah Öcalan, the architect of this process, does not gain his freedom, it will not be possible for the process to proceed in a healthy way. He must be able to conduct this process freely.
As you know, the Kurds have had unresolved issues for a century. When the war in Rojava Kurdistan began, the entire Kurdish people took to the streets and sent the message that ‘the Kurdish people are one.’ We also say: the Kurdish people are one and must ensure their unity. From today onward, let us stand by our reality. We celebrate everyone’s Newroz.”
After the speeches, artists Mehmet Atlı, Koma Helin, Koma Özgür, and Koma Berfin took the stage. The celebration ended with dances and chants of “Bijî Serok Apo.”
Tatvan
Hundreds of citizens marched from the DEM Party district building to the Newroz Area, where they held an enthusiastic celebration despite the rain.
The program, which began in the morning hours, opened with a moment of silence in memory of those who lost their lives in the struggle for freedom.
Speaking at the celebration, DEM Party Amed MP Cengiz Çandar stated that Newroz represents peace and democracy for the Kurdish people and said that the crises in the region could turn into an environment of freedom for the peoples. Çandar said: “Abdullah Öcalan, who has been imprisoned for years for defending the Kurdish people, those behind bars and friends like Bese Hozat will be among us. If Abdullah Öcalan is not free, we will not be free either.”
DEM Party Şırnak MP Newroz Uysal Aslan stated that Newroz opens the door to a new life. Emphasizing that the Kurdish people must act in unity, Aslan said: “This Newroz fire will open the door to a new life and a new space of freedom. Our rights and existence will be recognized. We are awaiting our friends who have been imprisoned for 30 years. We are ready in every field for a new life. Through Kurdish unity, we will build a new life. This will be a Newroz of unity and peace for the Kurdish people.”
The program continued with performances by artists, while the crowd joined the celebrations for a long time with dances.
Cizre
Citizens who gathered in the Newroz area from the early morning hours joined the celebrations by dancing, undeterred by the rain.
Addressing the crowd, Newroz Organizing Committee member Aynur Elçioğlu and DEM Party Cizre district co-chair Yılmaz Sanrı shared Abdullah Öcalan’s Newroz message and congratulated those attending the celebration. After the message was read, slogans rose across the area.
TJA activist Fatma Ablay drew attention to the women’s struggle, emphasizing that the philosophy of “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî” (Woman, Life, Freedom) has become universal.
DEM Party spokesperson Ayşegül Doğan pointed to Cizre’s history of resistance and stated that the people expect concrete steps regarding the peace process.
Doğan said: “Öcalan is not only the leader of an organization. May this Newroz contribute to the physical freedom of Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan and all prisoners. This is what the people want. Leader Öcalan should greet the people here—this has been the demand of all Newroz celebrations in Cizre. This demand is now echoing louder than ever. That is why this is the Newroz of freedom. Today, this area is a referendum. When the Kurdish people took to the streets for Rojava, they delivered a message. Today, that message is rising again from here. More than ever, we need unity. We must set aside all differences and stand together. We must do this for an honorable peace.”
After the speeches, the Newroz fire was lit accompanied by slogans. The celebrations continued throughout the day with performances by children and artists, along with traditional govend dances.
Urfa
Thousands of people attended the Newroz celebrations in Urfa despite adverse weather conditions.
Following a moment of silence, Mehmet Öcalan, who recently met with Abdullah Öcalan, gave a brief speech. He stated that Öcalan sent his greetings to the people of Urfa and to the peoples across all four parts of Kurdistan, and shared his message that Kurdish should be used in all areas of life.
Afterward, the Peace Mothers took the stage, greeted the crowd, and voiced the demand for Öcalan’s physical freedom.
DEM Party Legal Commission co-spokesperson Sevda Çelik Özbingöl read messages from Öcalan and the recently released Sinan Türkmen, accompanied by slogans.
Speaking after, DEM Party Deputy Co-Chair Tayyip Temel stated that a new process has begun and called for Öcalan’s conditions to be improved. Temel noted that mutual respect and legal steps are necessary to achieve peace in the Kurdish question.
Free Women’s Movement (TJA) activist Çimen Fidan stressed that women’s freedom and social freedom are interconnected, and said that Newroz should contribute to Öcalan’s freedom.
Imrali Delegation member Mithat Sancar highlighted that the peace process must move forward without delay.
Sancar emphasized that equality, justice, and democratic politics must form the basis for resolving the Kurdish question, stating: “As wars spread and destruction threatens to expand everywhere, we must act quickly. Let us take steps to establish peace and democracy. The people have faith and hope, and to sustain this belief, we need the rule of law. What needed to be done has been delayed so far, but the process can no longer tolerate delay.”
After the speeches, the Newroz fire was lit. The celebrations concluded with dances accompanied by songs performed by the artist Koma Hevra.
Midyat
Citizens began gathering in the Newroz area from the early morning hours.
Despite the rain, the crowd—dressed in traditional attire—danced for hours accompanied by songs they sang themselves.
The celebrations were marked by high enthusiasm, with frequent chants of “Bijî Serok Apo” and “Bijî Newroz.”
As the rain intensified, the Organizing Committee announced that the program had been postponed to a later date.
Nevertheless, the people in the area decided to continue the celebration. A group of participants lit the Newroz fire and carried on the event.
With the lighting of the fire, the crowd continued dancing, while artists who arrived at the area took the stage and joined the celebrations.
As the hours progressed, people continued to enter the area, and thousands kept gathering despite the rain.
Throughout the celebrations, participants sang along together to the songs being played.
The program continued with performances by Koma Haco and children, and finally concluded with traditional dances accompanied by musical performances.
