In the Austrian capital Vienna, thousands of Kurds, together with international supporters, marked this year’s Newroz festival. The celebration on Sunday evening was held under the slogan “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Status for Rojava.” The venue was decorated with flags of various Kurdish organizations as well as portraits of Abdullah Öcalan. A large banner reading “Free Leader, Democratic Society” hung on the stage.
The event, which began with a minute of silence for those who lost their lives in the Kurdish freedom movement, was opened by the co-chairs of Civaka Azad, Dilek Karahan and Zülküf Karatekin. In their speeches, they described Newroz as a symbol of freedom, resistance, and social unity. They recalled both the historical and ongoing struggles of the Kurdish movement and honored those who lost their lives for these goals.
At the center of the political segment was a speech by DEM Party MP Ömer Öcalan. He conveyed messages from the Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, which were addressed to the Kurdish population in Europe during a meeting held on the prison island of Imrali. Öcalan emphasized the role of the diaspora and called on Kurds in Europe to act in an organized manner and actively represent their political demands. “Everyone should act like a diplomat,” Ömer Öcalan quoted his uncle as saying. He also stressed the importance of unity and collective political action.
Referring to current developments, particularly attacks against the people of Rojava, Öcalan saluted the ongoing protests and mobilizations in Europe, describing them as expressions of collective resistance that must continue. During the speech, participants repeatedly chanted slogans in support of Öcalan.
Representatives of international political forces also attended the event. Speaking on behalf of the Communist Party of Austria (KPÖ), Barbara Urbanic stated: “We stand with the Kurdish movement and will fight together for peace and a just society.”
In addition to political speeches, the program included cultural performances and a film retrospective on the history of Newroz. The celebration was musically accompanied by artists Erol Berxwedan, Hozan Ariana, Gönül Dilan, Hasan Ali, Hamit Urmiye, and Ibrahim Bezar, as well as the band Koma Dem.
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