Kurdistan
Helicopters fly over Erbil with the Kurdistan Flag to celebrate Newroz, March 20, 2020. Photo: Safin Hamed / AFP
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – As Kurds prepare to mark the Newroz holiday under coronavirus lockdown, the heads of Erbil’s foreign diplomatic missions shared their warm new year’s greetings in a series of videos.
Kurds usually celebrate their New Year, known as Newroz, on March 21-23 by picnicking in the countryside and lighting bonfires.
However, under coronavirus containment measures, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has banned all gatherings and celebrations.
Traffic suspensions and movement between provinces will remain in force across the holiday season.
Forty-one people in Kurdistan Region have tested positive for the virus as of Friday afternoon, and one man has died. The total number of causes in Iraq as a whole is now approaching 200.
Katsumi Moriyasu, Japan’s consul general to Erbil, told Rudaw it is unfortunate the diplomatic community cannot celebrate Newroz among the people, “but at home we express heartfelt congratulations to everyone in the country.”
Japan’s consul general to Erbil Katsumi Moriyasu regrets he can’t join Kurds for #Newroz celebrations this year “but at home we express heartfelt congratulations to everyone in the country.” pic.twitter.com/kWTnBTuUQ1
— Rudaw English (@RudawEnglish) March 20, 2020
Ni Ruchi, the Chinese consul general to Erbil, said he hopes the “traditional relationship between Chinese people and Kurdish people will deepen continuously.”
China’s consul general to Erbil Ni Ruchi hopes the “traditional relationship between Chinese people and Kurdish people will deepen continuously” in #Newroz message. pic.twitter.com/JV4DtpX3bZ
— Rudaw English (@RudawEnglish) March 20, 2020
Efthymios Costopoulos, the Greek consul general, wished the Kurds good health at “this demanding time,” said he hopes the situation will soon return to normal. “I regret that there will be no ceremonies. I had a very great time last year,” he said.
Greek consul general to Erbil Efthymios Costopoulos wishes Kurds good health at “this demanding time” in #Newroz message. pic.twitter.com/Z4Yuq6FXR5
— Rudaw English (@RudawEnglish) March 20, 2020
“Let this Newroz be a new dawn for the people of Kurdistan,” Chandramouli K. Kern, the Indian consul general to Erbil, told Rudaw.
“Let this #Newroz be a new dawn for the people of Kurdistan,” says India’s consul general to Erbil Chandramouli Kumar. pic.twitter.com/Eiq6XexyGX
— Rudaw English (@RudawEnglish) March 20, 2020
Speaking in Kurdish, Michal Svoboda, the Czech consul general to Erbil, wished Kurds “a new, healthy and bright year for all Kurds and Kurdistan Region.”
Speaking in Kurdish, Czech consul general to Erbil Michal Svoboda wishes “a new, healthy and bright year for all Kurds and the Kurdistan Region” in #Newroz message. pic.twitter.com/SCBAtCnr4A
— Rudaw English (@RudawEnglish) March 20, 2020
The Dutch consul general to Erbil, Willem Cosijn, said Newroz is about working “hand-in-hand” for an “even brighter future.”
Dutch consul general to Erbil Willem Cosijn says #Newroz is about working “hand-in-hand” for an “even brighter future.” pic.twitter.com/BLuyg0IH36
— Rudaw English (@RudawEnglish) March 20, 2020
Britain’s ambassador to Iraq Stephen Hickey meanwhile said he looks forward to returning to the Kurdistan Region soon and enjoying the good food.
Britain’s ambassador to Iraq Stephen Hickey shares #Newroz greetings with Kurdistan Region. pic.twitter.com/iBIMQLTAeM
— Rudaw English (@RudawEnglish) March 20, 2020
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