MEDİNE MAMEDOĞLU

Amed (Diyarbakır)- Newroz is celebrated in the Middle East as the arrival of spring and new year. For Kurdish people, it also means “liberation from slavery” and “freedom.

This year, the people in the Middle East will celebrate Newroz symbolizing “freedom, resurrection and rebirth” by organizing many activities and events.

In Northern Kurdistan, people have been also getting ready to celebrate Newroz. On March 12, 2025, the first fire of Newroz was lit in Amed’s Lice district and the last fire of this year’s Newroz will be lit in Istanbul on March 23.

The “Call for Peace and Democratic Society” by Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan on February 27, 2025 was welcomed by society, opening the door for peace. People in Northern Kurdistan will celebrate this year’s Newroz with the enthusiasm of this call.

‘It will be a historic Newroz’

In Amed, Newrow will be celebrated at Newroz Park on March 21. “It will be a historic Newroz, Gülşen Özer, Spokesperson of the Newroz Organizing Committee and Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) Amed Provincial Co-chair, told NuJINHA.

She indicated that the call of Abdullah Öcalan generated excitement among people. “This excitement will turn into great enthusiasm during Newroz.

“A hope has sprouted among the people. We have been getting ready for Newroz with this hope. 2025 Newroz will be a historic Newroz and it will always be remembered. All people want is the end of the war, the conflict that has been going on for a hundred years.”

‘We will carry the torch of freedom’

Gülşen Özer called on everyone to celebrate Newroz in Amed on March 21. “On March 21, we will celebrate Newroz, demanding peace. In 2013, Abdullah Öcalan wrote a letter from Imrali and millions flocked to the Newroz celebration in Amed to listen to the letter. We expect this year's Newroz to be even more crowded. The people will flock to the Newroz celebrations to carry the torch of freedom.”

‘Newroz of hope for young people’

Sultan Yorulmaz, member of the DEM Party's Youth Council, also called everyone to celebrate Newroz in Amed on March 21.

“We welcomed Abdullah Öcalan’s call with excitement,” she said. “We will experience this excitement together with millions, gathering around the fire of Newroz. We will light the fire of the struggle for freedom. All patriotic youth should flock to Newroz Park on March 21 because this Newroz will be the Newroz of hope for all people, especially young people. We will always carry the torch of Newroz.”