WATCH: Foreign diplomats in Kurdistan Region send Newroz greetings

Rudaw

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.”

 


Ni Ruchi, the Chinese consul general to Erbil, said he hopes the “traditional relationship between Chinese people and Kurdish people will deepen continuously.”


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.


“Let this Newroz be a new dawn for the people of Kurdistan,” Chandramouli K. Kern, the Indian consul general to Erbil, told Rudaw. 


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.”


The Dutch consul general to Erbil, Willem Cosijn, said Newroz is about working “hand-in-hand” for an “even brighter future.”


Britain’s ambassador to Iraq Stephen Hickey meanwhile said he looks forward to returning to the Kurdistan Region soon and enjoying the good food.