Category Archives: Newroz

One Million Signature Campaign Against the Exclusion of Kurds From Geneva 3 Conference

By Dr Amir Sharifi: The One Million Signature campaign has been organized for all conscientious individuals, human rights organizations and activists, and concerned citizens in different countries of the world. As we approach the arrival of our New Year, the struggle of our people like spring is surprising the world; the struggle for the right…

Invitation to the 2016 Newroz Celebrations in Diyarbakir

By 2016 Newroz Organizing Committee: We cordially invite you to join us welcome Newroz (Kurdish New Year, March 21st) in Diyarbakir on Newroz, the spring equinox, is celebrated across a vast geography as the harbinger of the joint revival of nature and society. For the Kurdish people Newroz is also the symbol of struggle against…

I do not know if I should say Happy Newroz to you!

By Dr Amir Sharifi: Some Reflections My wishes for the New Year may sound somber in this critical period of our history. I do not know if I should wish you a Happy Newroz. It is true that spring has returned in all its glory, fruit trees are in bloom and spring flowers have filled…

Öcalan’s historic Newroz message calls for a new era: full text

By JINHA:  AMED – Abdullah Öcalan, leader of the PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party), has released a historic Newroz message calling for an era of peace and democratic change to overcome the violence of the nation-state form in the Middle East. The crowd shouted as one, “long live the leader Öcalan,” in the moments of silence…

Urgent Appeal to Chancellor Angela Merkel: Please Try to Save the 21 Kurd Hostages!  

By Tilman Zülch: Iraq: Islamists threaten to kill 21 Kurds by burning Dear Madam Chancellor, On March 21, our Kurdish fellow citizens will be celebrating their New Year’s Day, Newroz, together with all the other Kurdish people all over the world. This year’s spring celebrations, however, are overshadowed by fears that the so-called Islamic State…

This Newroz is Different

By Ramyar Hassani: On Saturday, the Kurdish new year will be celebrated all over Kurdistan. People will welcome the spring and the resurrection of the planet that wakes up from a deep winter sleep. Photos of its signs are already posted all over the social media. Although in exile, I can imagine that trees have got…

The Kurdish legend of Newroz to go on stage in Toronto, Canada

By the Dilan Dance Company: Dilan Dance Company is pleased to announce the performance of its latest production, The Legend of Newroz/Dance of Colours. The work is based on the Kurdish legend of the New Year signifying new beginnings that coincide with the vernal equinox. Artistic Director Fethi Karakecili’s vision of sharing mythologies and cultural…

For Newroz

By Amir Sharifi: Rise, rise, rise, rekindle the Newroz fire on with the Newroz dance! “Dance, dance, dance” with your fast flying feet on the shaking ground On with the Newroz song! Sing, sing, sing till the Sornas of freedom resound Piercing the stark darkness of the night No ceasing till the tyrants’ defeat Bookmark on…

Newroz and Iraq, Syria and Turkey

By Scherco R. Baban: Newroz is the celebration of the Spring Equinox, on March 21, which is considered as the beginning of the New Year and widely celebrated by the Indo-Iranian peoples such as Kurds, Tajiks, Afghans, Persian, Ossetians and Balushs. With characteristics deeply rooted in the traditions of Zoroastrianism, it even predates this religion….