The American thinker and linguist Noam Chomsky delivered a message to the Newroz celebrations in Turkey’s majority Kurdish city of Van (Wan), where tens of thousands gathered today under heavy snow to celebrate the arrival of the New Year on the spring equinox, and also to rally for freedom and democracy.

Stating that the Kurds have fought heroically for freedom and justice, and that the Kurdish struggle has always been ‘inspiring’, Chomsky said:

“They have been subjected to and have succeeded in overcoming terrible oppression and violence. Both their struggle and their success in the face of extreme hardships are inspiring. It is a privilege for me to be able to make even a small contribution to this remarkable struggle.”

He continued:

“I recently made an opening speech at the University of Rojava. This was totally unimaginable only a couple of years ago. This should teach us that the human soul is capable not only of imagination, but also of accomplishment. This is a lesson carved in our minds by the Kurdish resistance and success. It will obviously develop further, and it will not be less inspiring in the future. They will accomplish nothing less than shaping history in the future. Newroz Piroz Be!..”

Chomsky also voiced strong protest against the severe isolation imposed upon Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), and said:

“Mr. Öcalan is subjected to horrendous isolation. This isolation reflects on the Kurdish people too. It must be broken.”