People of North and East Syria celebrate Çarşemiya Sor, Yezidi New Year, in Amuda

NORTH AND EAST SYRIA — On Wednesday, the Yezidi people celebrated their new year, Çarşemiya Sor, or Red Wednesday.

To mark Çarşemiya Sor, a special celebration was held in the village of Qazlajokh in Amuda, North and East Syria.

The celebration was attended by a delegation from the Democratic Autonomous Administration (DAA) of North and East Syria, representatives of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), various political parties, clan dignitaries, and members of civil institutions from various ethnic groups.

The celebration began with a minute of silence in commemoration of martyrs, followed by traditional Yezidi songs.

A speech by Co-Chairs of the Yezidi House in the Gozarto (Jazira) Region Suleiman Hamo and Laila Mahmo was delivered.

Member of the Yezidi Union of Afrin Canton Kola Jaafar explained that the holiday is a celebration of the creation of Earth and life. Yezidis paint eggs around the holiday as a symbol of life and the rebirth of spring.

Co-Chair of the Office of Religions and Beliefs in the Gozarto (Jazira) Region Jubeir Sheikh Suleiman stated, “The Yezidi New Year is one of the feasts that characterize peoples of North and East Syria and add to the region’s diversity.”

“Despite the Turkish attacks, we will resist and flourish as April’s spring,” he concluded.