The music group Awazê Çiya has begun preparations for the April 4 celebrations, the birthday of Abdullah Öcalan. The group said, “The birth of Abdullah Öcalan holds a special meaning for us.” They added that the events will be held with the same spirit as the recent Newroz celebrations.

Armanc: ‘‘Newroz was celebrated across all of Kurdistan with great enthusiasm—more magnificently than ever before. It was striking. The people’s enthusiasm reached its peak. And that brings joy. The Kurdish people are now taking steps toward freedom. Our preparations were for both Newroz and for April 4, the birthday of Mr. Öcalan, which will be celebrated in a few days. We, as the guerrillas of Kurdistan, will also take part in the celebrations. April 4 is a sacred day for us. And it is sacred for the people of Kurdistan as well. It is the rebirth of Kurdistan. The revival of nature, the resurrection of the Kurdish people, and the birth of Mr. Öcalan hold special meaning for us. It creates a sense of happiness in the hearts of the Kurdish people—and for us as well.

Once again, we dedicate this day to all guerrillas, to the people of Kurdistan, and to everyone whose heart beats for freedom and democracy. We, as the Awazê Çiya group, have completed our preparations. All of our comrades came together and prepared a program for April 4. During rehearsals, we are very happy—because we are getting closer to that special day. Our preparations are going well. All of our comrades have started preparing with great care. This is our second day of rehearsals. Just as we joined the Newroz celebrations with joy, we will take part in April 4 with the same spirit. We hope to complete this process successfully.’’

This Newroz was the Newroz of Öcalan

Hedar: “We already celebrate your April 4. As you know, this year’s Newroz was celebrated with great enthusiasm, following the call of Mr. Öcalan. We can say that Newroz reached its most magnificent level ever. It was a response to express our connection with Öcalan. Once again, we congratulate our people on Newroz and wish them success. We can say that the message of Newroz has been received. Everyone bore witness to this celebration, which became the Newroz of Mr. Öcalan.

Newroz showed us the depth of the bond we share with Mr. Öcalan. Now we are preparing for April 4. As a movement, we approach this day as if it were our own birthday. We hope that all our people, with the enthusiasm of Newroz, will welcome April 4—the birthday of Mr. Öcalan—with the same excitement, embrace it everywhere, and celebrate it. As a group, we have started rehearsals over the past few days. We will take part in April 4 with our art, our voice, and our instruments. Once again, we wish a blessed birthday to Öcalan—may it be a source of joy for all humanity, our people, and our comrades.”

Tolhildan: “April 4 is the day of existence for the Kurdish people. It is a light of hope for peoples who have been lost in darkness. This day is sacred. It has become a special and sacred day not only for the Kurdish people, but for the whole world. The Kurdish people were in darkness, unable to see their path. With the birth of Mr.  Öcalan, the future of the Kurdish people was illuminated. Today, not only Kurds, but millions of people celebrate this day. Because the emergence of Öcalan has shown a path for all humanity. Right and wrong were made clear, and the people began to find their path forward. For us, as Kurdistan guerrillas, this day is like our own birthday.

We, as the Awazê Çiya group, are also making preparations to boost morale. We will hold a morale event for our comrades. And we will dedicate this morale event to all our people. Our preparations include songs as well. We have been rehearsing for two days. Within the next few days, we will complete our celebrations. This preparation fills us with great excitement. With this spirit, we will carry out the April 4 celebrations.”