Preparations Underway for Akre’s Newroz Festivities
preparations for this year’s festivities are progressing steadily. “Our goal is to make this Newroz the most spectacular yet,” Dlawar Bozo, the district governor of Akre stated.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Authorities in Akre district, have officially began preparations for this year’s Newroz celebrations, with efforts underway to enhance the annual festival’s experience.
The Newroz Preparatory Committee has announced the construction of an additional road leading to the summit of Akre’s mountains, where the traditional fire-lighting ceremony takes place.
Dlawar Bozo, the district governor of Akre, told Kurdistan 24 that preparations for this year’s festivities are progressing steadily. “Our goal is to make this Newroz the most spectacular yet,” Bozo stated.
A New Route for Dignitaries and Visitors
Given the high-profile guests expected to attend the fire-lighting ceremony, local authorities have initiated a month-long project to construct a new pathway leading to the peak of Akre. “Work is being carried out daily to ensure the road is completed in time,” Bozo confirmed.
Additionally, Bozo noted that this year’s celebrations coincide with the holy month of Ramadan. “As a result, the fire-lighting ceremony will take place after Iftar, following the Maghrib prayer,” he added.
The Story of Newroz
Newroz, the Kurdish New Year, is deeply rooted in the region’s history and folklore. It symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, freedom over oppression, and the arrival of spring.
The legend of Newroz dates back to Kawa the Blacksmith, a heroic figure who led a rebellion against the tyrant King Zuhaq. According to tradition, Kawa’s victory was marked by the lighting of fires on mountaintops, a ritual that continues today across Kurdistan.
The festival, celebrated on March 21, is one of the most significant cultural and national events for Kurds. In Akre district aka (Nawroz capital) in the Kurdistan Region, the celebration has become a significant cultural and tourist attraction. The festival features a range of activities, including traditional Kurdish music, dance, and the symbolic torch-bearing procession up the mountain.
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) places great importance on Newroz, recognizing it as the most significant national celebration of the year. Each year, the festival attracts not only thousands of locals but also foreign officials and dignitaries who join the festivities in various parts of the Kurdistan Region, highlighting its growing international recognition and cultural significance.