Kurds celebrate Newroz in Britain

The British city of Liverpool witnessed the most spectacular Newroz celebration of the recent years, while thousands attended the traditional "Youth Newroz" in London.

The Youth Newroz, which is annually held in London, was held this year at the Kurdish Community Centre (KCC) under the leadership of the Revolutionary Youth Movement (TCŞ) in Britain.

The celebration started following a moment of silence in memory of the martyrs of the Kurdistan revolution.


Agit Riha made a speech on behalf of the TCŞ, Ali Poyraz on behalf of Martyr's Families and Şivan Heval on behalf of KCDK-Bashur (South Kurdistan). A documentary featuring the speeches of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan was screened during the event.

The speakers pointed out the fact that the freedom paradigm of Öcalan has become a hope for all the peoples of the Middle East, and the resistance and struggle against occupation, fascism, collaborationism, and male mentality are close to victory.

Pictures of Öcalan, Mazlum Doğan, Paris martyrs and YPG, YPJ, PKK and KCK flags were displayed in the event hall.

This year's Newroz event was dedicated to Kurdish artist Mir Perwer who was martyred in the Paris massacre on December 23, 2022.

Music band Koma Zelal appeared on stage at the Youth Newroz, followed by a traditional halay dance performance. Music groups Zozan Zudem and Omid Sharifi also took the stage.

A Newroz fire was lit in the KCC garden, where young people danced around the fire, singing the anthem of "Çarxe Şoreşe". As the participants jumped on the Newroz fire, fireworks were also set off.

THOUSANDS CELEBRATED NEWROZ IN LIVERPOOL

Thousands of people attended the Newroz event at the Eventim Road organized by the Northwest Kurdish Community Centre in Liverpool.

Kurds from other cities including Manchester, Hull, Wrexham and Shielfield also attended the Newroz celebration. Flags of KCK, PKK, PJAK, KODAR, YPG, YPJ and pictures of Öcalan and Mazlum Doğan were displayed in the event hall.

The Liverpool Newroz kicked off after a minute's silence to commemorate those who lost their lives in the Kurdistan freedom struggle.

The opening speech was delivered by British Kurdish People's Assembly Co-Chair Miraz Serhat. The Kurdish national anthem “Ey Raqîb” was sung by thousands of people.


TIME FOR FREEDOM

Serhat started his speech by commemorating those who lost their lives in the Maraş-centred earthquakes on February 6. He insisted that through struggle and solidarity, the wounds of the survivors would be healed, and fascism would be destroyed.

In a reference to the campaign motto "Time for freedom", Serhat praised the struggle against the Turkish occupation in Kurdistan and noted the Turkish army had to withdraw from a significant part of the Medya Defence Zones in the face of the guerrilla response.

Serhat stated that this spirit of resistance would destroy the AKP-MHP fascism and ensure the freedom of Öcalan.

In separate video messages, KONGRA-GEL Co-Chair Remzi Kartal, MSD (Syrian Democratic Council) Co-Chair Ilham Ehmed, HDP (Peoples’ Democratic Party) MP Feleknas Uca and PJAK (Kurdistan Free Life Party) Co-Chair Siyabend Muini emphasized the importance of an enhanced struggle against the invasion attacks in Kurdistan and stressed that Öcalan's paradigm would soon ensure freedom in all four parts of Kurdistan.

In a speech on behalf of KJAR (Community of Free Women of East Kurdistan), Sonya Kerimi said that the Kurdish people were closer to freedom than ever before, adding that the Kurdish women’s iconic slogan 'Jin, Jiyan, Azadi' (Woman, Life, Freedom) has turned into a slogan of freedom all over the world.

The crowd frequently shouted slogans in favour of Öcalan during the event.

Humanitarian organizations Heyva-Sor (Kurdish Red Crescent) and Re-Build drew considerable interest from the crowd.

Artists Berhem Şamami, Suna Alan, Diyar and Nasır Rezazi appeared on stage during the event.