A Newroz reception was held at Sweden’s world-renowned History Museum, attended by more than 150 politicians, writers, film actors, artists, and prominent figures.
The reception was hosted by the Kurdistan Regional Government Representation in Sweden. Academic and politician Omer Şêxmûs and Keya Izol were also part of the organizing protocol. Representatives from the Democratic Kurdish Community Center (NCDK), the PYD (Democratic Union Party) Sweden Representation, and the Kurdish Institute in Stockholm were present at the reception.
In addition to at least 15 members of parliament from political parties such as the Social Democrats, Vänsterpartiet, Liberalerna, Miljöpartiet, and Centerpartiet, representatives and bureaucrats from well-established Swedish institutions such as the Swedish Institute of Education, the Olof Palme Center, and SIDA, as well as ambassadors, human rights activists, and many film actors and artists who have appeared in world-renowned productions, attended the reception.
The Newroz reception, which also hosted journalists such as Yusuf Önal and Kurdo Baksi, began with the Kurdish national anthem “Ey Reqib.”
The opening speech was delivered by Shoresh Kadir Rahem on behalf of the protocol. Rahem stated: “March holds in Kurdish memory events such as Halabja, Raperin, and many other massacres, but it is also the month of our national holiday, Newroz. For us, Newroz is a symbol of resistance and uprising. In this sense, March is both a month of mourning and a month of freedom for us.”
Ayşe Didar from NCDK stated in an interview with ANF: “For the first time on the path toward Kurdish national unity, we as diaspora Kurds are this strongly united. We welcomed Newroz at a time marked by severe massacres in Kurdistan and war across the Middle East. Undoubtedly, every Newroz is important for Kurds. But the most significant aspect of this year’s Newroz has been strengthening our national unity by overcoming the borders imposed by occupying states in Kurdistan.”
After a presentation on Kurdish culture, participants celebrated Newroz by dancing accompanied by traditional music and Kurdish melodies.