Newroz, the Kurdish New Year, was celebrated on Sunday with vibrant festivities in various locations across Turkey, showcasing a blend of cultural heritage and political expression.
Hundreds of thousands gathered in Van (Wan) and Istanbul, among other cities, to celebrate Newroz. This historic celebration, symbolising the victory of light over darkness and freedom over oppression, was especially vibrant this year.
The gathering in Istanbul, advocating for the freedom of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan, became a platform for broader political statements, including criticism of mainstream parties ahead of the local elections.
The festivities, under the banner ‘It’s the time of freedom and victory’, were organised by the Peoples’ Democratic Congress (HDK), Free Women’s Movement (TJA) and the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party.
Amid a heavy police presence and intense surveillance, the colours yellow, red and green adorned the crowd, with many in traditional Kurdish attire highlighting the cultural significance of the day. Some outfits, however, were deemed ‘guerrilla garb’ by Turkish police, leading to either entry denials or detentions, revealing the prevailing systemic hostility towards Kurdish cultural expressions.
In Istanbul, banners calling for no votes for ‘bourgeois parties or contractors’ were prominent, alongside chants for Öcalan’s freedom, reflecting the political undertones of this year’s Newroz.
Emel Mathlouthi, a Tunisian singer, couldn’t perform on stage at the Istanbul Newroz celebrations due to arbitrary time restrictions by the Istanbul Governorate. However, she still connected with her fans by singing Kurdish songs with those who approached her for souvenir photos. Importantly, Mathlouthi is scheduled to perform at the major Newroz rally in Amed on 21 March, offering fans another opportunity to experience her music live.
İstanbul Valiliği'nin #Newroz kutlamalarına getirdiği keyfi saat sınırlaması nedeniyle Tunuslu sanatçı Emel Mathlouthi sahneye çıkamadı. Mathlouthi tüm engellemelere rağmen kendisiyle hatıra fotoğrafı çektirmeye gelenlerle Kürtçe stranlar söyledi.#Newroz2024 pic.twitter.com/rL2zyPQHUt
— Zeynep Kuray (@zeynokuray) March 17, 2024
In Van, the call for Öcalan’s release was equally resonant, with historic messages of freedom being revisited. The celebration there was marked by speeches that not only demanded Öcalan’s freedom but also called for a resolution to the Kurdish issue, highlighting the day’s dual nature as both a cultural and political rallying point.
Newroz celebrations were also held in cities like Hakkari (Colemêrg), Gaziantep (Dîlok), Şırnak (Şirnex), Kocaeli, İzmir, Ağrı (Agirî), Bingöl (Çewlig), Kars (Qers), Urfa (Riha), Bursa, Denizli, Osmaniye and Tekirdağ, each contributing to the expression of Kurdish identity and aspiration.
These gatherings, held on the same day as part of a series of events scheduled for Newroz, with the final one being the major rally scheduled on 21 March, the traditional Newroz day, in Diyarbakir (Amed), underscored the widespread significance of Newroz for the Kurdish people across Turkey, with each city adding its unique voice to the chorus calling for freedom and justice.
At the heart of Newroz is the story of Kawa, a blacksmith who, according to Kurdish mythology, led an uprising against the tyrannical king Dehaq. This legend, embodying the struggle against oppression, has for centuries been a source of inspiration for Newroz celebrants.
Today, Newroz not only marks the arrival of spring but also symbolises the Kurdish people’s enduring quest for freedom and dignity, echoing the ancient tale of Kawa’s victory against tyranny.
