Kawa was in Atlanta for Newroz!
By: Ara Alan

Kawa hammering away at his Shop Making Weapons to fight Zuhak!

As a tradition that started in 2003. Kurdish Youth Club each year dedicates its Newroz to a cause. This year's Newroz was dedicated to learning about Newroz itself.  How do Kurds celebrate it, what do Afghans and Iranians do at their Newroz. These were different presentations available at the party. Kurdish Youth Club also made a picture story of Kawai Asingar for the Kids. The story told the epic journey of Kawa and his people as they struggled under the suppression of the tyrant Zuhak. KYC promises to have the story available for public so that all Kurdish children can benefit from it. The story will be published on youtube in English, and in both Kurdish dialects of Sorani and Kirmanci.

Kurdish Children sitting on the dance floor as Ara Alan tells them the story of Kawai Ahsinger (Kawa the Black Smith)

The night was full of dancing and the guests continuously complemented the joy filled and successful Newroz. Two wonderful singers from California were brought to Atlanta, Mr. Alan Karkuki and Mr. Majid Taha. Makwan Jabar provided continuous music for both singers. Which, they sang in both Kirmanci and Sorani dialects. It was an evening full of dance and party where the guests continuously danced until 1 am.

Maçid Kestey one of the evening singers also a Saz player. Makwan Jabar performing on the Keyboard

The evening program was also composed of Bret Duvall speaker of Middle East Socio-political Association, and Tahereh Aghdasifar speaker of Iranian Student Association both organizations were from Georgia State University. Omarzaman Sayedi from Emory University explained the Newroz in Afganistan.  Ara Alan explained Kurdish Youth Club's past year activity and their future plans. Importance of Kurdish community participation in Kurdish cultural and demonstrations were one of the highlights of his speech. Another point of pride was the successful opening of Kurdish Youth Club branch in Arizona and the high level of activity put out by the new group of KYC in that state.  KYC Van Aran was recognized as KYC member of the year. Followed by Kocher Arslan, who explained the plight of a group of Kurdish Youth in Turkey who are sentenced six years in jail after celebrating Newroz 2006 at their University in Ankara.

Kurdish Children stood with signs representing the 14 Youth arrested for celebrating Newroz last year!

As a surprise to the audience KYC provided a raffle. This was based on a number that was given to all guests entering the program. The winners of the raffle took home, Toshiba DVD player and two $25.00 gift certificates to Mediterranean grill. Visit www.KurdishYouthClub.com for more pictures and upcoming KYC events. Please sign in yourself and your friends to be on the email list so that we can notify you of upcoming activities.

Some of the Happy people at Newroz. This picture was taken after hours of dancing at 1:10 Am

KYC activity for Newroz in other states includes:

Arizona Kurdish society held a Newroz party in Phoenix, Arizona on Sunday March 23, 2008 at the Cedars. They were joined by Kurds from Tucson. Although the party was organized by Arizona Kurdish Society, The Kurdish Youth Club participated by creating an informative PowerPoint. This PowerPoint included pictures from past Newrozes, and the history of Newroz for the children at the party. Everyone in the audience thoroughly enjoyed the presentation, and it even convinced 4 Kurds from Tucson to join the youth club.

On Sunday March 23, Kurdistan Cultural Institute, in association with Kurdish Youth Club, held a Newroz Party in Nashville, Tennessee. The celebration began at 6:00 PM with the Kurdish National Anthem, followed by opening remarks by Mihamad Ibrahim, president of Kurdistan Cultural Institute. Following the speech, singers Diyar Bakir and Alan Karkuki, along with musician Makwan Jabar, performed for the crowd. The party was concluded at 12:00AM.