The first fire of the traditional Kurdish ceremony Newroz has been lit in the German capital Berlin, in a mood of solemnity due to the devastating twin earthquakes of 6 February, reports ANF.
As thousands of Kurds and their European supporters joined the ceremony, the organising committee drew attention to the Turkish state, which continues to attack northern Syria, despite the ceasefire declared by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), and the need to display solidarity with the victims of the earthquake.
Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) MP Sezai Temelli, Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) Executive Committee president İlham Ehmed and other politicians from the Confederation of Kurdistan Communities of Germany (KON-MED) and Janine Wissler from Die Linke (The Left) spoke at the ceremony.
The artists Nevşan, Özgür Işık, Bengi Agirî, Beser Şahin, Hozan Aydın and Şivan Perwer took to the stage to perform their songs. Kurdish artist Hani Mojtahedy sang her songs for the women’s liberation movement in Iran after taking the stage.
As the Newroz fire was lit, and throughout the celebration, the people chanted slogans, the slogan “Bijî serok Apo” (Long live our leader Öcalan) ringing out repeatedly.
Heyva Sor a Kurdistan accepts donations for people affected by earthquake disaster of 6 February.
Meanwhile, European Kurdish Democratic Societies Congress (KCDK-E) announced the schedule for this year’s Newroz celebrations in different European cities and countries. Beginning on 12 March, the celebrations will continue until 2 April.
In Europe, the Kurds and their European supporters will come together to celebrate Newroz in Germany, France, the UK, Denmark, Canada, Finland, Italy, Sweden and Norway.
The details of the Newroz programme are available here
