With Fire and Song, Kurds in Turkey Hail the Start of Spring
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- Tens of thousands gathered in Diyarbakir, southeastern Turkey, to celebrate Newroz, the Kurdish New Year, despite rain, mud, and police pat-downs.
- The celebration featured traditional elements such as a giant bonfire, drum beating, and line dancing, symbolizing Kurdish cultural heritage.
- Mehmet Sahin, a former teacher, emphasized Newroz's significance as a source of freedom, peace, and national unity for the Kurdish people.
- Newroz is an ancient holiday celebrated in various forms across Asia, the Caucasus, the Balkans, and by Kurdish diaspora communities worldwide.
