Akitu festival celebrated in Kurdistan Region as symbol of coexistence and renewal

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – On Monday, the Assyrians of the Kurdistan Region gathered to celebrate the Akitu festival, marking the rebirth of nature, the reestablishment of the kingship by divine authority, and the securing of the life and destiny of the people for the coming year.

As a gesture of coexistence and harmony of different communities in the Kurdistan Region, Akitu has become an annual tradition in Duhok and other cities of the Kurdistan Region, where the community makes preparations for different festivals and activities.

Previously, in a post on social media platform ‘X’, the KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani had sent congratulatory message for the occasion of Easter and Akitu.

I wish Christians in the Kurdistan Region and beyond a Happy Easter and Akitu. pic.twitter.com/nH2Uxww8dC

— Masrour Barzani (@masrourbarzani) March 30, 2024

As an ancient Babylonian feast, reprinting the rebirth of nature, the festival is celebrated by the members of the Chaldean, Assyrians, and Syriacs every year in the world.

As one of the oldest festivals in the world, Akitu has been celebrated in Iraq for nearly 7,000 years. Wearing traditional clothes, members of the group organize several social gatherings and events to mark the day.

Iraq and the Kurdistan Region are home to thousands of Christians, who have suffered from numerous atrocities, the latest of which was in 2014 at the hands of the so-called Islamic State, mainly in the Nineveh Plains.

Thousands have fled their places of origin and sought sanctuary in the Kurdistan Region, where they live in peace and free from oppression.

These are some other photos of the festival in Dohuk on Monday: