Syrian Kurds Celebrate Nowruz For First Time Since Exile And Official Recognition

Hundreds of Syrian Kurds have returned to Afrin and celebrated Nowruz for the first time since years of displacement and official restrictions. The celebrations follow a government decree recognizing Nowruz as a national holiday and granting broader cultural rights to the Kurdish community. For many, including returnees like Abdul Rahman Omar, the moment is both emotional and symbolic—marking a homecoming after exile and the revival of long-suppressed traditions. From torch-lit processions to traditional dances, the festival reflects a renewed sense of identity and belonging after years of conflict, displacement, and marginalisation in war-torn Syria.