A reception was organised in Paris, the capital of France, on the occasion of Newroz.

The reception, organised by the Democratic Kurdish Council of France (CDK-F), was held at the historic Lutetia Hotel in Paris, attended by the following:

Jean Michel Blanquer, French Minister of Education; Sara Tanzili, MP and co-chair of the Kurdish Studies Group; Bertrand Badie, philosopher; Patrice Franceschi, writer; Alexandra Cordebard, 10th Mayor of Paris; Dylan Boutifa, National Secretary of the Socialist Party; Remi Feraud, Senator of Paris; Hadrien Clouet, Parliamentarian; Anne Souyris, Senator of Paris; Ara Torranian and Franck Papazian, Co-Presidents of the Armenian Council of France; Pascal Torre, Co-President of the France-Kurdistan Solidarity Association; George Yaramis, President of the Chaldean Council of France; Nuri Mahmoud, YPG commander; Şex Şemal, PUK Representative in Europe; Zübeyir Aydar, Executive Committee Member of the KNK (Kurdistan National Congress) and many others.

Former French President François Hollande sent a message to the Newroz Reception, calling for the freedom of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan.

BLANQUER: ROJAVA SHOWS US THE PATH OF RESISTANCE

The opening speech of the reception was made by CDK-F co-chairs Xane Akdoğan and Şahin Polat. Greeting the guests, the co-chairs emphasised the importance of Newroz.

Then the French Minister of Education, Jean-Michel Blanquer, took the floor. Blanquer congratulated the Kurdish people and drew attention to the importance of the revolution in Rojava.

Blanquer stated that the revolution in Rojava is a women's revolution and said, "Rojava shows us the path of resistance." The French minister ended his speech by calling for increasing solidarity with Rojava.

POLAT: RESISTANCE BRINGS GAINS

CDK-F Foreign Relations Spokesperson Agit Polat said that Newroz had been banned in Turkey until recently, adding: “The struggle brought us to this day. It is the spirit of resistance of Newroz that triggers the struggle against ISIS and reactionary mentality in the Middle East.”

Stating that as the Kurdish community they have been living in France for decades, Polat continued: "As the Kurdish community, we want to be a part of France while remaining true to our roots and culture. We deeply feel the pain of the terrorist attacks in France. We share the feelings of the French community.  As CDK-F, our aim is to promote intercultural dialogue."

AYDAR: WE SHOULD DEVELOP OUR PARTNERSHIP AGAINST ISIS

KNK Executive Committee Member Zübeyir Aydar stated that they have a historical relationship with France and said, "10 years ago, this became more prominent in the fight against ISIS. Because the reactionary forces in the region are enemies to both the Kurds and the French. Our joint struggle achieved certain results against these forces. Our expectation and wish is to further develop this partnership."

NURI MAHMOUD: TURKEY IS LIKE A FACTORY FOR PRODUCING TERRORISM

Nuri Mahmoud, one of the YPG commanders, touched upon the regional policies towards Rojava. In his speech, Nuri Mahmoud criticized Turkey and Iran, stating that both powers have turned into a factory for producing terrorism, "Both Iran and Turkey are doing their best to deepen the chaos in Rojava and Syria. They are also implementing anti-Western policies. We, on the other hand, are pursuing a third way policy in the region. It is a politics that allows all differences and cultures to live together. It is a policy that coincides with the democratic values of the West. Therefore, we need to strengthen solidarity and common struggle against these reactionary forces."

TANZİLİ : KURDISH STRUGGLE GIVES HOPE

Sara Tanzili, MP and Co-Chair of the Kurdish Research Group, stated that Kurds have been living under the grip of four dictatorial regimes for centuries and said: "However, despite all the oppression and massacres, they have never surrendered and have continued their struggle for years. This resistance of the Kurds should be applauded, and we should be part of it. Because the struggle of the Kurds in the Middle East in this Newroz gives hope to all of us."

HOLLANDE: YOUR COURAGE INSPIRES US

At the Newroz Reception, where Kurdish music was played, the message of former French President François Hollande was also read.

Hollande highlighted the following in his message:

"I know that when the Kurdish people celebrate Newroz, they are not only celebrating the New Year, but above all rejecting oppression and reaffirming their commitment to freedom. In defence of their fundamental values, they show extraordinary courage that should inspire us here and now. Dear friends, I wish you a new year that is more peaceful and beautiful than ever before, and I assure you that many of our hearts are beating with you today."