30/03/2023

Syriac institutions in North and East Syria organizing carnival and other festivities to celebrate 6773 Akitu

NORTH AND EAST SYRIA — As 6773 Akitu — the Babylonian Syriac–Assyrian New Year — approaches, the Syriac Progressive Youth Union and the Syriac Cultural Association in Zalin (Qamishli) announced a carnival to celebrate the occasion. The carnival will start at 4:00 p.m. on Friday at the headquarters of the Syriac Cultural Association and will tour the streets of Zalin, inviting members of the public from other ethnicities of the region to participate in the Akitu celebrations.

The carnival will also include members of the Bethnahrain National Council (Mawtbo Umthoyo D’Bethnahrin, MUB).

Akitu celebrations on Saturday, 1 April, will be jointly organized by the Syriac Union Party (SUP), the Assyrian Democratic Organization (ADO), and the Assyrian Democratic Party (ADP).

Celebrations are scheduled in Gersheran village in the countryside of Qabre Hewore (Qahtaniyah) at 11:00 a.m., Hakmeya village in the countryside of Dayrik (Malikiyah) at 2:00 p.m., and Tel Wardiyat village in the countryside of Hasakah at 11:00 a.m.

Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Gozarto (Jazira) and Euphrates Mor Maurice Amsih congratulated the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people and Christians of the world on the occasion of 6773 Akitu. In his statement, he highlighted the significance of Akitu as a symbol of spring, harvest, blessing, and freedom, as well as a feast of peace and building bridges of love among all peoples of the region.

This celebration reflects the cultural richness of the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people and their commitment to preserving and promoting their heritage. It also highlights the importance of unity and cooperation among different political parties and institutions for the benefit of the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) community and the wider region.