On the first day of Spring, Kurds celebrate the Newroz, their New Years day. The festival is very important for Kurdish identity, still neglected by many countries among which Kurdistan has historically been divided. Newroz means both new day and son of the sun, and its celebration dates back to 21st March 612 B.C, when Kawa, along with peoples solidarity defeated the Assyrian tyrant Dehak, setting the Kurds free from the oppression and proclaiming freedom throughout the land. His defeat represented the success of modern rationality and civilized prosperity above cruelty, abuse, injustice and enslavement. Newroz is then a genuine celebration of freedom and peace. Kawa ordered that a huge fire was lit on the mountain to send a message to thank God and to tell people they were free. From then on, this fire is lit every 21st of March, also in Testaccio, the very heart of Rome, at the Ararat centre. Here Kurds from all Italy gathers around the big fire lighted up with all the rubbish from the past, and they dance and sing around the fire along the night. This year, the Newroz fire burn brighter than ever, as it comes after the historic victory of Kobane, set free by the courageous men and women that fought for freedom. As in the ancient time of Kawa, Newroz represents light over darkness, freedom over oppression, peace over war. It is a festival of all the Kurdish population and their legitimate aspirations for freedom.
