Assyrians celebrate 6769th new year Akitu in Iraqi Kurdistan
Assyrians celebrate 6769th new year Akitu in Duhok, Iraqi Kurdistan, April 1, 2019. Photo: Rudaw
DUHOK, Iraq’s Kurdistan region,— The Assyrian community celebrated on Monday the festival of Akitu, starting of the new year of 6769.
Assyrians, also known as Syriacs or Chaldeans, celebrate Akitu each year near the vernal equinox across the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, Turkey, Syria, Iran, and in diaspora communities around the world.
Thousands of Assyrians from Duhok, the Nineveh Plains, and beyond gathered together with their families for a day of music, dance, and cultural renaissance after the recent devastation of ethnic cleansing by the so-called Islamic State.
“Akitu this year was as festive as every year,” reveler Jarjis Emad of Duhok said. “The feeling of belonging is what Akitu always brings, and reminds us that we are still here.”
“Akitu is a symbol [of] our existence. Akitu is newness, life, and freedom.”
Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government released a statement wishing the Assyrian community a happy Akitu.
“During this New Year, we hope all families who were forced to leave their homes will return with dignity to their places of origin to pursue secure and stable lives,” the statement said in part.
“On the occasion of Akitu, we once again reiterate that the Kurdistan Regional Government is working as always to promote a culture of living together with tolerance and peace among all religious and ethnic communities,” it added.
“Once again, we wish all Christian brothers and sisters a Happy Akitu in safety and prosperity.”
Christians from across the region, including the diaspora from around the world, joined the celebrations in Duhok. Many were dressed in traditional clothes specific to their villages and towns.
The Akitu festival is celebrated on April 1 annually.
Most Assyrians belong to one of several different Christian denominations, including the Assyrian Church of the East, the Chaldean Catholic Church, the Syriac Orthodox Church, and the Syriac Catholic Church.
Assyrian fighters were active in the fight against Islamic State (ISIS) in both Syria and Iraq. Thousands of Assyrians were displaced in the war against ISIS and were displaced to the Kurdistan Region.
Despite the end of the Islamic State’s final bastions of territorial control in Syria and Iraq, the Assyrian community still faces challenges ahead. Massive population losses due to displacement and immigration had reduced the size of Akitu celebrations or canceled them altogether in recent years. However, this year’s festival was larger than the year before.
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