Turkey Moves to Make Newroz an Official Holiday

ERBIL (Kurdistan24)—Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced that efforts are underway to officially recognize Newroz as a national holiday in Turkey.

Speaking on Wednesday, Erdogan, who also leads the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), stated that the People's Alliance will take steps to formalize Newroz as an official holiday.

According to Turkish media reports, the AK Party has committed to initiating legislative and administrative measures to institutionalize the holiday. As part of this effort, Kursad Zorlu, the AK Party Vice Chairman responsible for Relations with the Turkic States, has been appointed to oversee the process. His role will involve coordinating efforts to ensure Newroz is officially recognized across all Turkic states and celebrated annually.

Newroz, widely observed by various ethnic and cultural communities in Turkey, especially Kurdish people, symbolizes renewal and the arrival of spring. The move to grant it official status marks a significant step in acknowledging its cultural and historical significance within the country.