A Newroz celebration was held at Mûş Train Station Square under the slogan “Newroz of Freedom and Democracy.” Citizens flocked to the area, which was decorated with colorful flags, wearing traditional clothes. 

 

During the celebration, slogans such as “ Bijî berxwedana Rojava (Long live the resistance of Rojava),” “Yek e yek e yek e, gelê Kurd yek e (The Kurdish people are one),” “Bijî Serok Apo (Long live Leader Apo),” and “Jin, jiyan, azadî (Woman, life, freedom)” were frequently chanted. 

 

The event began with a moment of silence accompanied by the “Çerxa Şoreşe” anthem, followed by recordings of Abdullah Öcalan’s past Newroz messages played in his own voice.

 

After speeches by members of the Newroz Organizing Committee, DEM Party Mûş Co-Chair Çiçek Tutuş said, “The Newroz fire lit by Mazlum Doğan with three matches illuminated the darkness. Sema Yüceler, Rahşans, Zekiye Alkanlar, Ekin Wan, and women whose braids were targeted have become symbols of the struggle for freedom. I celebrate Leader Apo’s Newroz.”

 

Then DEM Party Muş Co-Chair İlyas Aslan stated, “This Newroz is a turning point. May this Newroz lead to peace. We will work day and night for peace. The Kurdish people are strong; we must believe in ourselves—we will definitely succeed.”

 

‘MAY THIS NEWROZ LEAD TO KURDISH UNITY’

 

DBP Muş Co-Chair Umut Yılmaz said, “We want this Newroz to be one where Figens, Selahattins, Leylas are freed, and where Mr. Öcalan achieves physical freedom.”

 

Muş Co-Mayor Tuba Sayılğan added, “Happy Newroz to the four parts of Kurdistan. Our wish is that this historic Newroz contributes to the freedom of Abdullah Öcalan and Kurdish unity.”

 

DEM Party Muş MP Sümeyye Boz said, “The freedom of the Kurdish people is tied to the freedom of their leader. Newroz 2026 will be a Newroz of freedom and unity. The construction of a democratic society will be achieved through the struggle of women and youth. A struggle without women cannot succeed. A democratic society also means defending nature and women’s liberation. Therefore, we will defend nature against everything. Varto is not alone; we will not surrender it to capitalism. We will struggle for the freedom of peoples, nature, and women. All of these are interconnected. May Newroz lead to the physical freedom of the Kurdish leader, the opening of prison doors, and the expansion of democratic politics.”

 

BAYINDIR: THE KURDISH PEOPLE WANT TO DETERMINE THEIR OWN FUTURE

 

Finally, DBP Co-Chair Keskin Bayındır said that the Newroz fire has grown stronger since the first day and added: “Newroz 2026 represents the liberation of Öcalan and the Kurdish people. I also celebrate the Newroz of prisoners. If we can celebrate Newroz today, it is thanks to the struggle carried out. The Kurdish people have been celebrating Newroz for days and want to determine their own future. We are fighting for this. Yesterday, a political prisoner lost their life in prison. Devlet Bahçeli said, ‘You cannot separate Kurds and Turks,’ yet at the same time, our imprisoned friend lost their life. If your intention is brotherhood and peace, the path is clear: end hostility toward Kurds and let Öcalan be free. Öcalan’s freedom is the freedom of the Kurdish people. Let it be known that the Kurdish people have not bowed, and will not bow, to oppression. We believe in this process led by Abdullah Öcalan. We struggle, and will continue to struggle, for our status, our language, and our dignity.”

 

After the speeches, the Newroz fire was lit by the Peace Mothers, MPs, and the public. The celebration continued with songs by artists and ended with traditional dances.