The KCDK-E said in a statement that Newroz was celebrated on a mass scale in many centres across Germany, especially in Frankfurt, where the gathering at Rebstockpark saw the highest participation in history, as well as in Berlin, France, the United Kingdom, Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Belgium, Greece, Cyprus, Canada and Australia. It was stated that participation exceeded the capacity of the venues, and that symbols of the Kurdish freedom of struggle, along with the flags of the People’s Protection Units (YPG) and the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), were widely displayed.
The fire of freedom carried from the mountains to the cities
In its statement, the Congress of Kurdish Democratic Societies in Europe (KCDK-E) noted that the fire of freedom, lit in the free mountains by guerrillas who inherited the legacy of the martyrs, also left its mark on Newroz celebrations in the cities. It drew attention to the remarks made by YPJ Commander Rohilat Efrîn at the large gathering in Frankfurt, particularly her emphasis on protecting the gains and respecting the will of the people, adding that slogans such as “Bijî Serok Apo (Long live Abdullah Öcalan),” “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî (Woman, Life, Freedom)” and “Yekîtiya Gelê Kurd (Unity of the Kurdish people)” echoed across all areas.
The statement underlined that the dynamic atmosphere shaped by the leadership of women and young people defined this year’s Newroz, adding that the colours of traditional clothing and children adorned in Kurdish colours brought an added sense of enthusiasm to the celebrations.
Newroz became a declaration of national unity will
The statement said that this year Newroz was not only the arrival of spring, but also a declaration to the world of the Kurdish people’s will for national unity, united around the freedom of Abdullah Öcalan. It noted that the celebrations, held with record levels of participation, demonstrated that the Kurdish people have determined their direction in favour of national unity.
It was stated that this stage reached in a struggle spanning centuries has strengthened hopes for a free future, and that the message of unity expressed has been recorded in history.
The statement by the KCDK-E concluded with the following remarks: “As KCDK-E, we sincerely salute and thank the hundreds of thousands and millions who upheld the will for democratic unity, as well as all institutions, youth, women and international friends who contributed to this magnificent gathering, particularly in Frankfurt and across various centres including Berlin, France, the United Kingdom, Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Belgium, Greece, Cyprus, Canada and Australia. The Newroz fire, burning with the slogan of freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, democratic unity and the brotherhood of peoples, will continue to be the shared hope of all peoples walking the path of freedom. Bijî Serok Apo! Bijî Yekîtiya Gelê Kurd! Jin, Jiyan, Azadî!”