Assyrians commemorate Akitu in NE Syria
HASAKAH, Syria (North Press) – Hundreds of Assyrians celebrated on Sunday the Assyrian Babylonian New Year, aka Akitu, with the participation of other community components in several areas in the countryside of Hasakah and Qamishli, northeastern Syria.
The celebrations took place in the villages of Tel Arbush and Tel Wardiyat in the countryside of Hasakah, as well as in the village of Gir Sheran in the countryside of Qamishli. They were attended by social, political, and religious figures from the region.
The celebrations included traditional Assyrian folk dances and musical performances, as well as dances that reflected Assyrian civilization.
Ninel Jando, an official in the office of Syrian Democratic Party in Tel Tamr, said, “We held this celebration on the Khabur banks, in honor of slogan ‘Together to bring back the smile to our beloved Khabur’. All residents and components of the region participated in the celebration, despite the difficult circumstances we are living in.”
Jando said, “We are hopeful for the return of peace to our homeland, and consequently the return of all the residents who migrated from the region, leaving a big void in our hearts and diminishing the joy of this festival due to their absence from their country.”
Many religious, political, and community figures also participated in the celebration in Tel Wardiyat organized by the Consultative Committee between the Assyrian Democratic Party and the Syriac Union Party and the Assyrian Democratic Organization.
Gabriel Shamoun, a member of the Executive Board of the Syriac Union Party, told North Press that Akitu is the beginning of the spring season for them, and they celebrate it together with Kurds and Arabs.
“Akitu unites us as Assyrian Syriac parties, representing our people in Syria, and every year we will celebrate together to revive Akitu,” Shamoun added.
The co-chair of the Executive Council in Hasakah, Vivian Bahou, told North Press that Akitu is considered one of the most important and oldest holidays for the Assyrian Syriac national region. “We celebrate it every year on April 1,” Bahou said.
She added that they celebrate this day by organizing celebrations and presenting folk groups to reflect the history of the ancient ancestors.