Akitu Celebrations Revive the Legacy of Ancient Civilizations

Syriac, Assyrian, and Chaldean communities celebrate Akitu, the Babylonian New Year, on the first of April every year.

This year, the cities of Hasakah and Qamishli, along with several other areas, witnessed a wide festive atmosphere. Nighttime car parades took to the streets of both cities, with participants raising flags and traditional symbols amid remarkable public participation from members of the Syriac-Assyrian community. In Hasakah, the procession toured the city’s neighborhoods starting from the Al-Nasra district, while Qamishli saw a similar parade as part of the occasion’s official program of events.

The celebrations continue today through festivals and central events in Qamishli and other areas, featuring folkloric performances, traditional songs, and folk dances in a scene that reflects a strong commitment to cultural and historical identity, and sends a message affirming the continuity of this ancient civilizational heritage from one generation to the next.

This year, Akitu marks the year 6776 according to the Babylonian-Assyrian calendar, remaining a symbol of renewal, peace, and the cultural diversity that characterizes the regions of North and East Syria.