This year's Newroz is celebrated in Qandil in Southern Kurdistan (Northern Iraq) under the motto “With the spirit of Newroz, we will free Rêber Apo [Leader Öcalan] and build a democratic society”. Despite the pouring rain, numerous people gathered to celebrate their New Year with fighting spirit and hope.

The stage was decorated with pictures of those martyred in the Kurdish liberation struggle, flags of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and portraits of the PKK founder Abdullah Öcalan. The shouts “Bijî Serok Apo” (Long live Leader Öcalan), “Bê Serok Jiyan Nabe” (No life without the leader) and “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî” (Woman, Life, Freedom) echoed throughout the festival grounds again and again.

The celebration kicked off with the ceremonial lighting of the Newroz fire by the families of the martyrs – a moving moment that underscored the central role of those martyred in the Kurdish liberation struggle. In a statement, the organizing committee emphasized the symbolic significance of the Qandil as a stronghold of resistance and freedom. It pointed out that this year's Newroz falls in a particularly critical phase, both in terms of a possible solution to the Kurdish question and peace in the entire Middle East.

The committee attached particular importance to Abdullah Öcalan's ‘Call for Peace and Democratic Society’ on February 27, in which he again called for the promotion of a dialogue and peace process. “The physical freedom of Rêber Apo is getting closer every day,” the statement said. “At this stage, every Kurd – especially women and young people – must embody the fighting spirit of Newroz even more powerfully.”

The Kurdish freedom movement, the committee said, is at a decisive turning point and has developed strong political willpower at the global level. It is hoped that this year's Newroz will mark the beginning of a new era of peaceful coexistence between peoples. “The project presented by Rêber Apo is not only a way to end war and bloodshed, but also represents a historic opportunity to recognize the peoples who have been oppressed for a hundred years and to build a true democracy,” the statement said.