Newroz celebrations will be held in more than 100 centres in European countries this year. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to be in the Newroz areas demanding the physical freedom of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan. 

 

 

Zübeyde Zümrüt, Co-Chair of the Kurdish Democratic Society Congress in Europe (KCDK-E), spoke about the celebrations.

 

Stating that they are preparing for Newroz within the scope of Abdullah Öcalan's "Call for Peace and Democratic Society", Zübeyde Zümrüt said that their slogan this year is "The physical freedom of our Leader is our freedom". Zübeyde Zümrüt said, "We started extensive public meetings upon the call of Leader Apo. We came together with different segments. One-to-one visits were made. Our work will continue after Newroz. During the meetings and visits, we saw that Leader Apo's call was taken very seriously. Even seeing the photograph of Leader Apo created a very serious morale and motivation among the people."

 

MARCH IN DOZENS OF CENTRES

 

Zubeyde Zumrut stated that more than 100 European centres will organise simultaneous torchlight marches led by young people on the night connecting 20 March to 21 March. Zubeyde Zumrut said, "This year's celebrations will start on the 20th and continue until 30 March. In Europe, the celebrations will be at the central level in some places and at the local level in others. Germany, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Switzerland, Denmark and Marseille will be celebrated centrally. Germany will celebrate on 29 March, France on 22 March, Marseille on 23 March, Switzerland on 22 March and Vienna on 30 March. Newroz fire will be lit in all European countries."

 

Emphasising that this year's Newroz has a historical significance, "The struggle for the physical freedom of Leader Apo continues. Mr Öcalan is still under isolation, he is not free. The excitement of 8 March and the spirit of resistance will be reflected in the Newroz areas," Zubeyde Zumrut added. 

 

Pointing out that the state has not yet taken any steps against Abdullah Öcalan's historic call, Zubeyde Zumrut stressed : "Leader Apo is still not allowed to meet with his lawyers and family members. While this reality is in front of us, we have no choice but to shout for the freedom of our Leader more loudly. We will demand the physical freedom of our Leader from the Newroz areas. Due to the process we are going through, everyone must play their historical role in Newroz."

 

MA / Esra Solin Dal