İZMİR - The slogans determined for the Newroz Festival, which started to be celebrated by millions of people since the early 2000s, were shaped around the demands of the Kurds and the developments that left their mark on the year.

 

There are only a few days left until Newroz, which will be celebrated in hundreds of places this year, 57 of which are central. The celebrations will start on March 15 in Dep (Karakoçan) district of Elezîz (Elazığ), Mazlum Doğan's hometown. The motto for this year's celebrations was "Rabe dema azadî û serkeftinê ye (Get up, Time is the freedom and succes)". The theme of freedom draws attention in the slogans determined both this year and in previous Newroz celebrations.

 

Newroz slogans, shaped by the demands of the Kurds and the developments that marked the year since the early 2000s, were as follows:

 

2001: Newroz was celebrated with the slogan "Neither denial nor separation, but a democratic republic" in reference to PKK Leader Abdullah Ocalan's paradigm shift.

 

2002: Celebrations were held with the motto "Long live the free, equal, voluntary unity of the peoples", demanding the freedom of PKK Leader Abdullah Ocalan.

 

2003: The slogan "No to war" was determined in order to draw attention to the occupation of Iraq and the lack of conflict in the Kurdish issue.

 

2004: The slogan "Newroz is unity" was determined for Newroz.

 

2005: Newroz was celebrated with the slogan "We will not allow war" against the policies of denial and war against the Kurds.

 

2006: Celebrations were held for the democratic and peaceful solution of the Kurdish issue with the motto "There is still a chance for Peace".

 

2007: In the year when the poisoning of PKK Leader Abdullah Ocalan was on the agenda, the slogan "Your health is our health" was determined.

 

2008: Celebrations were held with the slogan "Êdî bes e (Enough is enough)" to draw attention to the isolation imposed on Abdullah Ocalan.

 

2009: Newroz coincided with local elections. The slogan was "Neither denial nor destruction, the solution is democratic autonomy."

 

2010: In the year when the constitutional amendment was on the agenda, celebrations were held with the slogan "Free Leader, Free Identity, Democratic Autonomy".

 

2011: Celebrations were held for the freedom of Abdullah Ocalan and the solution of the Kurdish issue with the motto "Either freedom or freedom for an honorable life".

 

2012: Celebrations were held with the slogan "Edi bes e, an azadi an azadi (It is enough, either freedom or freedom)".

 

2013: Celebrations were held during the period of dialogue with PKK Leader Abdullah Ocalan. The celebrations, where millions came together, were held with the slogan "Freedom for Ocalan, status for the Kurds".

 

2014: The Newroz Organizing Committee determined the slogan "Free Leader, Free Kurdistan" based on the signature campaign launched for the freedom of Abdullah Ocalan.

 

2015: Newroz was celebrated with the slogan "Enough is enough, freedom for Leader Apo".

 

2016: Pointing to the self-governance declarations in Kurdistan, celebrations were held with the slogan "We will win by resisting".

 

2017: Due to the referendum that coincided with the constitutional amendment, the motto "We Will Definitely Win" was determined.

 

2018: During the period of attacks against Afrin in Northern and Eastern Syria, the slogan "Newroz is resistance, it is the spring of the people against fascism, fascism will lose, the people will win" was determined.

 

2019: Celebrations were held with the slogan "We will definitely win, we will break the isolation" against the deepening isolation policy on Abdullah Ocalan.

 

2020: Mass Newroz celebrations were not held due to the coronavirus epidemic. The slogan "Newroz everywhere" was determined for Newroz.

 

2021: Celebrations were held with the slogan "Let's resist with the fire of Newroz, let's be free."

 

2022: Millions flocked to Newroz areas with the motto "Dem dema serkeftinê (Now is the time to win)".

 

2023: The slogans "Every Newroz, always freedom" and "Freedom with Newroz fire" left their mark on Newroz celebrations.

 

2024: In this year's celebrations, the slogan "Rabe dema azadî û serkeftinê ye (Get up, time is freedom and success)" was determined, pointing out Abdullah Ocalan's physical freedom and Kurd national unity. 

 

MA / Delal Akyüz