JINHA

RIHA – Activists in Suruç have invited people around the world to Newroz celebrations in the village of Etmanek, along the border with Kobanê this Kurdish New Year, starting March 17.

Thousands of people are expected to descend on the tiny village of Etmanek for this Newroz, celebrated across Kurdistan with outdoor celebrations and dancing. Etmanek, just across the border from Kobanê's neighborhood of Kaniya Kurda, will be the center for ringing in the Kurdish New Year for 2015, the year of the Kobanê resistance.

The Suruç Newroz Coordination Committee says they have confirmed a range of important guests in Etmanek: Rojava canton representatives, Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) MPs, regional co-mayors, delegations from abroad, Southern Kurdistan officials and other political party representatives.

"We'll celebrate Newroz with all the joy and celebration of the victory won through the resistance of all our immortal heroes, from Arîn Mîrxan to Süphi Nejat to Kader Ortakaya. They've lit our way with their martyrdom," said İbrahim Uğurlu, of the Coordination Committee, speaking at a press conference held with local HDP and Democratic Regions Party (DBP) representatives.

İbrahim said the Kobanê border village would host the next most impressive Newroz after Diyarbakır's famous celebrations, which draw millions.

(ekip/mç/dc/cm)