Antep, a southeastern city of Turkey also known by its Kurdish name Dîlok, embraced the dawn on Sunday with the jubilant celebrations of Newroz.
This year’s theme, “It’s the time of freedom and victory,” captured the essence of the occasion, marking the Kurdish New Year with a message of hope and renewal. Organised movements, led by officials from the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, brought people together from across the city to the central celebration site.
The gathering was a vivid display of Kurdish culture, with participants donning traditional ‘kiras-fîstan’ and ‘shal-shepik’ attire and forming dance circles that symbolised unity and community spirit.
The participation of women and the younger generation was particularly noteworthy, highlighting the inclusive nature of the Newroz celebrations. As day broke, the excitement and sense of anticipation grew, reflecting the enduring significance of Newroz as a time for reflection, rejuvenation, and the envisioning of a future filled with freedom and victory.