By Dilsoz Youssef
HASAKAH, Syria (North Press) – Hundreds of Syriacs and Assyrian people gathered at the village of Tel Wardiyat in southern Hasakah Governorate, northeastern Syria, wearing traditional clothing to celebrate the Assyrian Babylonian New Year, Akitu.
On Monday, hundreds of Syriac and Assyrian people in the countryside of Hasakah celebrated Akitu.
The first of April of each year marks Akitu, which is celebrated by Assyrians, Syriacs, and Chaldeans as a day of revival and resurrection. The celebration of the Assyrian New Year dates back to the first Babylonian Assyrian dynasty, or the beginning of the second millennium B.C. The current celebration marks the beginning of the year 6774 according to the ancient calendar of the Mesopotamian civilizations.
Resolving differences
For the second year, Assyrians and Syriacs celebrated together. This comes after Syriac and Assyrian political parties formed a committee to resolve their disputes. Prior to that, each side used to celebrate separately.
In April 2022, the three parties of the Assyrian Democratic Party, the Syriac Union Party, and the Assyrian Democratic Organization established a committee for coordination and consultation as a political framework to achieve the national and patriotic interests and aspirations of Syrians.
Nabil Oshana, an official in the Assyrian Democratic Organization, told North Press that Akitu is a celebration of renewal and resurrection.
He said that they celebrate with the parties with whom they “have had understandings in recent years, and we will be together in all occasions.”
Oshana said that differences would not serve the interests of the people, adding that they have made a positive step by putting their differences aside. “Over the past two years, we have celebrated together in different areas in Hasakah.”
Oshana further expressed his wish that goodness, love, peace, and stability would prevail throughout Syria this year.
Nature and renewal festival
Gabriel Shamoun, a member of the Executive Board of the Syriac Union Party, told North Press that Akitu is the festival that symbolizes nature, renewal, and resurrection.
Akitu lasts for 12 days, starting on the first of April and continuing until the 12th.
Shamoun added that every year, “we celebrate alongside all communities in these national and patriotic holidays.”
“Today, we affirm the unity of the Assyrian and Syriac people, and Akitu unites us as parties representing our people within Syria. Every year, we will continue to celebrate together to revive the spring festival,” he stated.