The spirit of Newroz 2025 shone brightly in Cologne, Germany, where thousands of Kurds from all four parts of Kurdistan gathered to celebrate their heritage, unity, and struggle for freedom. Organized by the Kurdistan Diaspora Confederation, this grand event was not only a cultural festival but a reaffirmation of the Kurdish people’s resilience, hope, and commitment to their national cause.
President Barzani’s Message to the Kurdish Diaspora
During the celebrations, Shifa Barzani, General Supervisor of Kurdistan Diaspora Confederation in the Diaspora, conveyed President Masoud Barzani’s warm greetings to the Kurdish diaspora. In his speech, he extended the President’s congratulations on the occasion of Newroz and expressed his joy at seeing Kurds come together in unity.
Emphasizing that Newroz is more than just a festival, Shifa Barzani described it as a symbol of resistance, renewal, and the enduring struggle for Kurdish rights. He highlighted the deep historical and cultural ties between the Kurdish people, nature, destiny, and Newroz, which have remained unbroken throughout history.
A key theme of this year’s celebrations was solidarity with the Kurds of Rojava. Under the motto “Shoulder to Shoulder, Heart to Heart in Support of Rojava,” Shifa Barzani called for unity among Kurds and urged the international community to protect the rights of Kurds in Syria’s new constitution. He warned against another genocide against the Kurdish people and stressed the necessity of securing Kurdish national rights in the constitutions of all four countries where Kurds reside.
A Message of Hope and Resistance
Shifa Barzani concluded with a powerful statement, asserting that despite a century of policies aimed at marginalizing Kurds, such efforts have failed—and will continue to fail. He emphasized that the only real solution lies in peace, justice, and the recognition of Kurdish national rights.
As the Newroz flames burned high in Cologne, the Kurdish diaspora stood united, celebrating their identity while sending a clear message to the world: the Kurdish people’s struggle for freedom, dignity, and recognition will never be extinguished.
