By Jwan Shekaki
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Newroz, the millennia-old festival celebrated by tens of millions across the Middle East, the Caucasus, Iran, the Balkans, and Central Asia, holds a particularly profound significance for the Kurdish people. More than a herald of spring, Newroz embodies themes of renewal, liberation, and the triumph of justice over oppression—resonating deeply with the Kurdish struggle for recognition, survival, and peace.
Ancient origins, cultural significance
The history and interpretation of Newroz vary across cultures, reflecting the diverse traditions of those who celebrate it. The holiday is significant for numerous ethnic and religious groups, from Albanian Bektashis to the Turkic peoples of Central Asia and China. It is often associated with religious traditions, including those of Muslim Sufis, Alawites, and Iran’s Baha’i community.
Newroz is most commonly linked to the Indo-Iranian cultural sphere, particularly the ancient faiths of Zoroastrianism and Mithraism. Its observance dates back over 3,000 years, with roots in the Neolithic period of present-day Iran. The Persian-derived name, meaning “new day,” underscores its role as a festival of renewal, coinciding with the spring equinox on March 21, the first day of the Iranian solar calendar.
Throughout history, Newroz has remained central to Persian royal dynasties and has endured despite changing regimes. It survived the Islamic conquest of Persia in the 7th century, continued under the Abbasid Caliphate despite the suppression of other Zoroastrian customs, and persisted through the Turkic and Mongol invasions. Today, Newroz is officially recognized by the United Nations as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
Fire plays a central role in Newroz festivities, symbolizing purification and the defeat of darkness. In Zoroastrian tradition, bonfires are lit to ward off Angra Mainyu, the evil force opposing Ahura Mazda, the creator deity.
A symbol of resistance for Kurds
For the Kurds, Newroz has evolved into a powerful expression of national identity and resistance. The modern Kurdish interpretation of Newroz is intertwined with the legend of Kawa the Blacksmith, who, according to the Persian epic “Shahnameh”, led a rebellion against the tyrannical ruler Zahak. The legend portrays Kawa as the liberator of his people—an enduring metaphor for the Kurdish fight against oppression.
Turkey has long sought to suppress Kurdish identity, banning the Kurdish language and altering Kurdish town names in a broader effort to enforce cultural assimilation. In response, Kurdish nationalism grew, and Newroz took on a distinctly political dimension.
Despite Newroz’s recognition in Turkic-majority nations like Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, Turkey outlawed Kurdish Newroz celebrations until 1992. Even after its partial legalization, the Turkish government imposed a Turkified spelling—”Nevruz”—and sought to redefine the holiday’s origins as Central Asian rather than Kurdish. Kurdish political movements, including the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), have historically used March 21 as a symbolic date for resistance, and Turkish authorities have met celebrations with violence. In 1992, around 90 Kurds were killed by Turkish security forces during Newroz festivities, and clashes have continued into recent years.
In Iran, where Newroz (or Nowruz) is a nationwide holiday, Kurds face fewer barriers to celebration. However, Kurdish cultural expressions are still monitored and restricted. Kurdish men and women dancing together, a hallmark of Kurdish Newroz, is frowned upon by Iran’s Islamist government. In recent years, authorities have cracked down on overt Kurdish symbols, requiring celebrations to display Iranian flags and exclude Kurdish national imagery. Some gatherings have been violently dispersed, with arrests and repression increasing in Kurdish-majority regions.
Iraqi Kurdistan boasts some of the most vibrant Newroz celebrations, particularly in Akre, near Dohuk, where thousands ascend the mountains with torches, illuminating the night in a spectacular display. This freedom to celebrate was hard-won. Under Saddam Hussein’s regime, Newroz gatherings were banned, and in 1988, his forces carried out the genocidal Anfal campaign against the Kurds, culminating in the Halabja chemical attack just days before Newroz. The fall of Hussein’s regime in 2003 allowed Iraqi Kurds to reclaim their right to celebrate without fear.
In Syria, the Baathist regime imposed strict limitations on Kurdish cultural expression. Prior to the 2011 uprising, Newroz celebrations were tightly controlled, and attempts to organize unsanctioned gatherings often led to violent repression. In 2008 and 2010, security forces killed several Kurdish celebrants.
With the establishment of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), commonly known as Rojava, Kurds have gained greater freedom to celebrate Newroz. March 21, 2015, held special significance, marking the liberation of Kobani from ISIS. Today, Newroz in Rojava is a colorful, communal event, with bonfires, music, and the prominent display of Kurdish symbols. It has become a day to set aside political rivalries in favor of unity, especially with signs of intra-Kurdish agreement in Syria following the fall of al-Assad regime.
The enduring spirit of Newroz
For the Kurdish people, Newroz remains more than a holiday—it is a symbol of resilience, identity, and the ongoing struggle for self-determination. It represents the fire that refuses to be extinguished, despite decades of repression. From the mountains of Iraqi Kurdistan to the streets of Diyarbakir, from the refugee camps of Europe to the cities of Rojava, Kurds continue to light the flames of Newroz, proclaiming their enduring hope for freedom and justice.