Hollande and Tsipras invited to Nevruz feast in Turkey’s southeast, says DTK spokesperson

DİYARBAKIR - Anadolu Agency

Diyarbakır Mayor Gültan Kışanak (2 L) addresses the DTK meeting during which it was announced that Holland and Tsipras were invited to Nevruz celebrations. AA Photo.

French President Francois Hollande and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras are among the leaders who have been invited to this year’s Nevruz celebrations in Diyarbakır.

The Democratic Society Congress (DTK) spokesperson Seydi Fırat said during a press conference held about this year’s Nevruz program that they had invited Hollande, Tsipras, Iraqi President Fuad Masum, Kurdistan Regional Government in northern Iraq President Masoud Barzani and the heads of the Kurdish cantons in Syria to the event.

Fırat said the message by the imprisoned leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), Abdullah Öcalan, will be very important this year, as this year’s Nevruz comes at a time when the Kurdish peace process has become more prominent.

“This [year’s] celebration will hold a unique place regarding our history. The 2015 Nevruz will be a time when the negotiation opens in all ways, and becomes official and more evident. Our public will attend with this consciousness,” said Fırat.

Fırat added the public wanted Öcalan’s message to be a video message, but the issue was not yet determined. Diyarbakır Metropolitan Mayor Gülten Kışanak said the Nevruz celebration held great importance.