Thousands of Kurds gathered in Vienna and Graz to celebrate Newroz, the Kurdish New Year.

Vienna

Musicians Delîl Xidir, Hîvron, Nûarîn, Bengîn Agirî and Bajar performed at the Gasometer in Vienna and delighted the participants. The event began with a minute's silence in memory of those who fell in the Kurdish freedom struggle.

After a minute of silence in memory of the Kurdistan Freedom Martyrs, the history of Newroz and its importance for the Kurdish people were explained. Avesta Women's Council Member Nurcan Güleryüz made a speech and congratulated the Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan and all the people of Kurdistan on Newroz. Güleryüz said, “Today we are celebrating the Newroz of the women's freedom struggle that started as a result of the great efforts and intensification of Leader Öcalan. With the good news from the guerrillas, the meaning of this Newroz is different. Let this year be the year of freedom of Leader Öcalan." Nurcan Güleryüz's speech was greeted with the slogan "Jin Jiyan Azadî" (Woman, Life, Freedom) and applause.

Civaka Azad Co-Chair Ahmet Zirek congratulated everyone on Newroz and stated that the Kurdish people would get stronger. After the speeches, singer Delîl Xidir took the stage.

Speaking after, Democratic Union Party (PYD) Representative Mizgîn Ahmed asked no one to be fooled by the special war policies of the Turkish state, stating: "The state claims that there are no people left in Rojava. This is not true. Millions are in Rojava and demand the freedom of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan. We are not afraid. Everyone should unite around Leader Öcalan , and embrace their leader. No one should be fooled by lies and false news. No one should be fooled by the special war policies of the fascist Turkish state. On this occasion, I sincerely congratulate the freedom fighters on the mountains, Leader Öcalan, the comrades in prisons, the peace mothers and the Kurdish people on Newroz."

During the celebration, Defend Kurdistan's video message and a visual on Newroz were screened.

Hîvron, Nûarîn, Bengîn Agirî and Bajar took the stage and enthused the people with their songs, accompanied by dances.

Graz

Newroz was celebrated with great enthusiasm in Puchstrasse, Graz. During the event, the campaign for the freedom of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan was saluted and the demand for a solution to the Kurdish question was reiterated.

The programme started after a minute of silence in memory of the Newroz martyrs.

Ahmet Elban band, Koma Dem and Şivan Perwer performed at the celebration. Şivan Perwer pointed out that Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan has been resisting in prison for 25 years and said that Kurdish people should be a voice for their leader everywhere. Şivan Perwer pointed out that what was done for the freedom of Nelson Mandela should also be done for Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan. He emphasised that it is important that the international campaign initiated in this context is strongly embraced.

In a speech on the political process, Zübeyde Zümrüt, Co-Chair of the KCDK-E (Congress of Democratic Communities of Kurdistan in Europe), also congratulated Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan, the Kurdish people and the guerrilla on Newroz. She also gave strong messages on Kurdish national unity and the line of betrayal.

The celebration ended with the Kurdish traditional dance accompanied by the music of Koma Dem.

Newroz events in Austria will end with celebrations in Linz and Innsbruck today.