Newroz was celebrated in the Qileban district of Şirnex (Şırnak, Turkey) under the slogan “Freedom and Democracy Newroz / Newroza Azadî û Yekîtiya Demokratîk.” Hundreds of people attended the celebration. 

 

Despite the rain, citizens gathered in the early morning hours at the Newroz area. Wearing traditional clothing and red, yellow, and green accessories, participants frequently chanted slogans such as “Bijî Serok Apo” and “Jin, jiyan azadî (Woman, life, freedom).” The event began with a moment of silence and continued with the reading of a Newroz message from Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan.

 

Speaking at the event, DEM Party Şirnex Provincial Co-Chair Taybet Bilgi said, “The Newroz fire lit by Rahşans and Mazlums with their bodies will never be extinguished. We must strengthen our unity and further empower our leadership.”

 

‘THE STRUGGLE WILL CONTINUE UNTIL STATUS IS RECOGNIZED’

 

DEM Party MP Zeki İrmez emphasized that the 2026 Newroz holds great significance for the Kurdish people, stating: “Today, we celebrate the Newroz of those in free areas, the prisoners in jails, and especially Leader Öcalan, who initiated the peace process. We have paid a heavy price to freely fill these Newroz grounds. As the Kurdish people, we have always defended peace against war. Despite facing many massacres, we have never given up and have always resisted. Once again, we say: the struggle will continue until the Kurdish people gain status in all four parts of Kurdistan. We must live in a democratic and peaceful way. Another important point is Kurdish unity. This unity will bring us freedom. We no longer want anyone to die. Therefore, the ongoing peace process must succeed. The Turkish government must take concrete steps as soon as possible, and the architect of the process, Abdullah Öcalan, should be able to meet with his people and celebrate Newroz.”

 

After the speeches, the Newroz fire was lit with the slogan “Newroz pîroz be (Happy Newroz).” The celebration concluded with halay dances accompanied by music.