MEDİNE MAMEDOĞLU

 Xarpêt (Elazığ)- The Newroz celebration kicked off in the Dep (Karakoçan) district of Xarpêt (Elazığ), hometown of Mazlum Doğan, on March 15, 2024 with the participations of thousands. Women wearing their traditional clothes chanted slogans such as “Jin, Jiyan, Azadi (Women, Life, Freedom)” and “Biji berxwedanan zindanan (Long live the resistance in prisons)”. Thousands danced around the Newroz fire and celebrated it with great enthusiasm.

NuJINHA spoke to the People's Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) Dersim MP Ayten Kordu and women attended the celebration.

‘Newroz is the festival of all ignored people in Kurdistan and Turkey’

Newroz is the festival of all ignored and oppressed people in Kurdistan and Turkey, Ayten Kordu emphasized. “We lit the first Newroz fire here with people. We are now in the hometown of comrade Mazlum. We remember all revolutionary people such as Zekiye Alkan and comrade Rewşa with respect. Thanks to their struggle, we, as Kurdish and Alevi people, struggle today. I commemorate all our comrades, who lost their lives while struggling for freedom.”

‘It is lit by millions today’

Ayten Kordu emphasized that the current process was an important one for them. “Today, the Newroz fire is lit in many parts of Kurdistan and Turkey. Newroz is the festival of resistance and freedom for the people of Mesopotamia. We light a fire at this festival of resistance. This fire is the fire of freedom, equality and our struggle. The fire of resistance was lit years ago and it is lit by millions today,” Ayten Kordu said.

“Newroz is the festival of not only Kurdish people but also the millions, who resist and struggle for freedom together. We make this fire even bigger. Newroz is not only a symbol but also the struggle and resistance of all of us. The Newroz fire lit here is the resistance of people. This resistance will start here and then spread everywhere.”

‘We should always be shoulder to shoulder’

‘I hope everyone feels this fire burning inside us. Happy Newroz to Mazlum Doğan,” said Zin Bingöl, noting that 2024 Newroz will be the festival of success and victory. “People should join hands to win in the local elections. As Kurds, we should give up uniting. We should always be shoulder to shoulder.”

‘The resistance of Mazlum Doğan is our existence’

Newroz means freedom and fraternity of people, Suna Şahin said. “Our struggle is the struggle for freedom. The Kurdish people should unite now. We must not bow down to anyone. If the Kurdish people unite, they will overcome all barriers. Today, we gathered to demand freedom.

“The resistance of Mazlum Doğan is our existence. The fire started years ago has been burning for years and it will continue to burn as long as we exist. The local elections are approaching and I call on the Kurdish people to vote in the elections. We should support our party, the DEM Party.”