Happy new year of 6772 of Aktiu
With the arrival of Spring, Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people welcome ancient and traditional fest of Mesopotamian new year of Akitu as the birth of nature and beginning of new year with blessing, hope and peace.
As a native people of Mesopotamian civilisation and heritage, Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people inherited millennial traditions, customs and culture as in their homeland and in the diaspora. Now a days, celebrations and festivities are undergone in various places to welcome new year of Akitu. Amid conflictual developments, continued wars and latest wave of Covid-19 pandemic, again prepare the arrival of new year.
Akitu festival is ancient Babylonian celebration which was organized during eleven days and lasting with the the introduction to the temple among other festivities. Now a days, our people in homeland and diaspora continue to celebrate and welcome new year.
More than two decades, Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people of Levant faced tremendous violence mass migration, killings, abductions and genocide. Forced mass-migration of Nineveh Plain in 2014 and decade long conflict in Syria caused unrepairable damage to the existence and heritage of our people. Beside violence against our people, their culture, heritage, churches and monasteries have been targeted, destroyed and burned. The core survival and existence of our people in their homeland remain vital issue.
On the occasion of Akitu, European Syriac Union, ESU wish happy new year for our people around the world with the hope of peace and health for all humanity especially with the ongoing wars around the world.