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Peshmerga line up atop the Kurdistan-Iraq border shortly before lighting the festive Newroz bonfire. (Photo: Levi Clancy/Kurdistan 24)
Erbil (Kurdistan 24) – Peshmerga at the front line received a sweet surprise for Newroz, with 700 donuts decorated with the Kurdish flag were delivered to the front line near Zummar, overlooking the Mosul Dam.
Peshmerga volunteer and businesswoman Chnar Barwari, and Donut World owner, Jacob Shapiro, put the project together after talking about how Peshmerga often go under-appreciated in Kurdistan and are sometimes totally misunderstood on the global stage.
Donuts decorated with the Kurdish flag. (Photo: Levi Clancy/Kurdistan 24)
“Everyone heard about Peshmerga’s bravery during the war with ISIS,” said Barwari. “And with the official end of the caliphate and the celebration of Newroz happening the same week, it was such a special time to celebrate with the Peshmerga and not go empty-handed.”
Even at the front line, the Newroz celebrations continued. (Photo: Levi Clancy/Kurdistan 24)
Crowds gathering to light the bonfire. (Photo: Levi Clancy/Kurdistan 24)
Peshmerga watching the bonfire being lit. (Photo: Levi Clancy/Kurdistan 24)
The festive bonfire marking Newroz. (Photo: Levi Clancy/Kurdistan 24)
“Every single Peshmerga there on the front line is protecting us,” added Barwari. “And on Newroz, they are missing the chance to spend the holiday back home with family. It’s just a way to say thank you for protecting everyone living in Kurdistan and the world.”
Barwari (center) with her daughter Vicky and Shapiro (left) celebrating Newroz with fellow Peshmerga. (Photo: Levi Clancy/Kurdistan 24)
Visitors were a rarer surprise since the height of the war with ISIS, and the Peshmerga warmly welcomed their Kurdish and foreign guests. (Photo: Levi Clancy/Kurdistan 24)
Stopping to visit one of Barwari’s fellow Peshmerga in Duhok. (Photo: Levi Clancy/Kurdistan 24)
Barwari, a Peshmerga herself since 2014, noticed that those working on the front lines usually live in difficult conditions, away from their families for long periods of time. “But people tend to forget about the Peshmerga when things are silent,” she said. “The idea came about when talking to Jacob, and what we could just to bring some more joy on Newroz.”
Over fifty boxes of donuts, which have a cult following in America, made their way from Erbil to the front line overlooking the Mosul Dam.
Shapiro, a 23-year-old American from New York, opened Donut World in October of 2018.
“I wanted to do something to give back to Peshmerga,” said Shapiro. “It was very humbling because you see their commitment, but they are stationed far from their families.”
At the front line, the Peshmerga celebrated while staying alert and armed. (Photo: Levi Clancy/Kurdistan 24)
“It cannot be easy missing your family on Newroz,” Shapiro added. “But even then, the Peshmerga showed me the same kindness and welcome as always. That generosity and bravery is why Kurdistan feels like a home for the world, all the way to the front line.”
“We can all do something, no matter how small, to show our appreciation for that,” said Shapiro.
Editing by Nadia Riva