Despite heavy rain, the crowd filled the celebration area in the city center. A large number of young people participated, frequently chanting slogans such as “Bijî Serok Apo (Long live Leader Apo),” “Bê Serok jiyan nabe,” “Bijî berxwedana Îmralî (Long live the resistance of İmralı),” “Jin jiyan azadî (Woman, life, freedom),” and “Şehîd namirin (Martyrs never die).”

 

After the Newroz fire was lit amid applause and slogans, Celal Fırat, a member of parliament from the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party said: “These lands resisted during the earthquake, in suffering, and under oppression. Now they will resist together for peace. Newroz is not just a date on the calendar. It is the transformation of darkness into the sun. Fire of Newroz will illuminate all of Turkey today.”

 

Halide Türkoğlu, spokesperson for the Women’s Assembly of the DEM Party began her speech by commemorating Salih Muslim.

 

“Although Kurds have lived under pressure and oppression for years, they have always carried the struggle for equality and freedom to this day,” she said and emphasized that the sacrifices made during the struggle would never be forgotten.

 

Halide Türkoğlu concluded: “Newroz is the day when peoples refuse to surrender to oppressors and resist them. In one sense, it is resistance itself. In another, it is the day when peoples come together to live side by side.”

 

After the speeches, artists Suavi, Berfin Işık, and Mem Sidar performed on stage. The Newroz celebration continued with traditional Kurdish dances as participants formed large circles and danced together around the festival grounds.