Assyrians celebrate Akitu Day in Syria’s Qamishli
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Hundreds of Assyrians celebrated the Babylonian Assyrian New Year (Akitu) in the village of Girsheran in the Qamishli countryside in northeast Syria.
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.
Habib Ardesh, a member of the preparatory committee of the celebration, told North Press, “The Akitu festivities are central and are held every year in the village of Girsheran in Qamishli countryside with the participation of Assyrian, Chaldean, and Syriac parties in organizing the festivities.”
He added that this year, figures from outside Syria were present at the celebration. Officials representing the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) and social figures from the region also participated in the festivities.
The celebrations start from March 21 until April 1. Folkloric and popular groups, as well as religious ones participate in the festivities.
Sabah Shabo, member of the Syriac Women Union in Syria, congratulated “all the Syriac Assyrian Chaldean people on the Babylonian Assyrian Syriac New Year, which started 6773 years ago.”
She noted that Akitu stands for the regeneration of nature and life and sends a message of love and goodness to all the peoples of the world who participate in the celebration.