PJAK (Party for a Free Life in Kurdistan) Co-Chair Zîlan Vejîn spoke to ANF about the meaning and importance of Newroz, Kurdish New Year.

Stating that Newroz has a great meaning for the Kurdish people, Vejîn pointed out that Newroz has gained a more historical meaning with the emergence of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan.

Zîlan Vejîn emphasised that the Kurdish people fought hard and paid a great price for Newroz and said, "First of all, I congratulate Rêber Apo (Leader Abdullah Öcalan), the families of martyrs, the mothers of martyrs, the mothers of peace, all women of resistance and all those who see Newroz as a new year, a holiday of resistance. Newroz is a historical holiday, a revolt against oppression, injustice and oppression. Newroz has many meanings. Of course, this historical meaning continues today. The historical meaning of Newroz in the person of Kawa the Blacksmith has reached today.

With the struggle of Rêber Apo for more than 50 years, with the lives of Kawa the Blacksmith, comrade Mazlum, comrade Zekiye Alkan, comrades Ronahî, Bêrîvan and Rahşan, Newroz has gained more meaning. It gained a more important, historical, cultural and ideological meaning and created a new line in the freedom struggle of the Kurdish people, Kurdistan and Kurdish women. This history, these symbols have become the symbols of Newroz. These symbols are commemorated every Newroz. At the same time, the Kurdish people also paid a great price and fought hard for Newroz. On this occasion, we once again honour all the martyrs of the freedom revolution, the martyrs of Newroz, and bow to their memories with respect. We will realise their dreams and goals in the spirit of Newroz.

Today, the whole people of Kurdistan, especially women, are welcoming Newroz with enthusiasm. In North Kurdistan, there is intensive work for the elections. The election work is integrated with Newroz and in this way we are heading towards Newroz. With this Newroz spirit, success will be achieved in the elections. This enthusiasm and excitement is affecting the whole Kurdistan, eyes are on North Kurdistan. At the same time, our people in Rojava are also fighting against the occupation attacks of the fascist Turkish state and welcoming Newroz in this way.  This is also a stance, the stance of those who resist and struggle. It is the stance of a people who are in favour of freedom, democracy, resistance and struggle. We see this in the stance of the Rojava people. Again in Rojhilat, Newroz is celebrated with great enthusiasm. The Newroz celebrations that started in Hewraman city of Rojhilat in early March are still going on.

Just as a struggle against the occupying regime, fascism and genocide is being waged in the three parts of Kurdistan, Newroz should be celebrated with the same stance in Bashûr (Southern Kurdistan). In other words, it is necessary to take a more radical stance against the fascism and occupation of the Turkish state. They should be determined to be in solidarity and they should go to Qandil Newroz with this spirit, this understanding, this attitude and belief. It is very important that they raise their voices at the Qandil Newroz with such a stance and stand against fascism. The eyes of the Kurdish people will be on the Qandil Newroz and the attitude of the people of Bashûr. This imposes a responsibility on our people in Bashûr, but it also shows that there is a hope and belief that will end fascism and occupation in Bashûr."

Newroz is the struggle against occupation

Stating that the people of Rojhilat celebrate Newroz with the spirit of 'Jin Jiyan Azadî' (Woman, Life, Freedom) resistance, PJAK Co-Chair Zîlan Vejîn continued: "It is very important that Newroz is celebrated in Rojhilat with the slogan of ‘Jin Jiyan Azadî’. Newroz means new life, existence and free will. The ‘Jin Jiyan Azadi’ revolution brought the peoples of Rojhilat and Iran together. This year, ‘Jin Jiyan Azadi’ Newroz is being celebrated in Rojhilat. Especially on 8 March, both in Iran and in Rojhilat, women took a political and ideological stance, came together and celebrated International Working Women's Day. They took a stance against the regime. They took the lead as struggling, libertarian women. Especially on 8 March, mothers who lost their children in the ‘Jin Jiyan Azadî’ revolution came together, celebrated the women's day and visited the graves of their children. They do this especially on Newroz, and it should be done continuously. Because women are the hope of this revolution. The values of the revolution are the martyrs, they are the owners of this revolution, they paid the price, so they need to maintain this stance.

In many cities of Rojhilat, the campaign launched on 10 October with the slogan "Freedom for Leader Öcalan and political solution to the Kurdish question" continues. Newroz was greeted with this slogan. During this period, elections were also held, and the people massively boycotted the elections and did not go to the polls. This was a reaction, an attitude against the state. We have said before that Newroz is a struggle against occupation. In Rojhilat and Iran, Newroz is the struggle against the policies of execution, occupation, prohibition and torture. It is obvious that Newroz enthusiasm will continue. As women from Rojhilat and Iran, we are entering a new year. For every society, a new year means a new struggle. We want to successfully achieve our 2024 goals with a spirit of will and faith. As we get closer to our goal, our task becomes more difficult, our struggle becomes more difficult, our will grows even more."

It is important to fight together against the genocidal regime

Pointing out that their comrades are fighting on every front of the struggle today, PJAK Co-Chair Zîlan Vejîn added the following: "In every field of struggle, in every field of life, in every field of work, our comrades are breaking the occupation attacks with this spirit of resistance. This will surely make success inevitable. We will make the physical freedom of Leader Apo inevitable. The important thing is that we approach this period with sensitivity and responsibility. The message of Newroz is also unity and solidarity. Let us continue our struggle in Rojhilat in solidarity with the Iranian people and Iranian women. Because the struggle is successful when it is united, not fragmented. Especially the people of Balochistan faced the problem of floods this year as they do every year. They have suffered from the state's policies, the state's approach, the state system, they have suffered a lot of damage, they have suffered a lot of illness, they have suffered a lot of pain. This is how they welcomed Newroz.

Aid also reached the people of Balochistan from Rojhilat and many parts of Iran. There was also such sensitivity. I especially congratulate the people of Balochistan on Newroz. As the Kurdish people, we share their suffering. The solution to the problems experienced can only be achieved through a joint struggle. It is very important that the people struggle together against this genocidal regime. For this, all our peoples of Rojhilat, all Iranian peoples should share the pain of the people of Balochistan. March is generally a month full of events. It includes both celebrations and many historical festivals. 8 March is International Women's Day, Newroz and many events and massacres against the Kurdish people. March is also the beginning of spring. In other words, it is a month of struggle, a month of innovation. It is the same for nature. Nature is also renewing itself. The struggle and belief of the people is also like this.

Our biggest goal this year is to guarantee the physical freedom of the leader and to make the campaign launched on 10 October a success.  That is why this Newroz has many meanings. When we ensure the physical freedom of Leader Apo, all other problems, especially the Kurdish question, will be solved. On this occasion, I once again congratulate Rêber Apo's Newroz. I also congratulate the Newroz of the people of Rojhilat and Iran, women and all peoples in favour of freedom. I also congratulate the Newroz of all our imprisoned and resistant comrades in the person of comrade Zeyneb Jalaliyan, Leyla Güven, Gültan Kışanak, and I salute their resistance and stance. With their spirit and stance of resistance, we will further develop our work in every field and we will achieve success."