Iraqi Christians mark ancient Akitu feast in Dohuk

Описание: (2 Apr 2023)
IRAQ CHRISTIAN FEAST
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
LENGTH: 2:24
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Dohuk, Iraq - 1 April 2023
1. Christians dancing to celebrate ancient festival of Akitu, which marks the new year
2. Man playing zurna instrument
3. Various of people dancing
4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Violet (no second name given) Christian from Dohuk:
"We Assyrians from all Christians villages and areas (in Dohuk) come here to celebrate this day, the Assyrian New Year to prove our existence as an original and deeply-rooted people in this country. I am wearing the costume of Enheduanna, she was the first poet in history and the daughter of Sargon of Akkad."
5. Various of people singing and dancing
6. People gathering to celebrate feast
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Aushterina (no second name given) Iraqi Christian living in the U.S.:
"Today, we’re celebrating Assyrian New Year's, it is the year 6773 for Assyrians. We’ve been celebrating continuously for almost 7,000 years, and we hope to continue for 7,000 more."
8. Band beating drums
9. People marching through streets of the city as part of celebration
10. Various of people singing and marching
11. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Maria Farhad, Miss Iraq beauty pageant title holder:
"This feast is the oldest feast in Iraq, and we celebrate it every year. I invite all Christians who are outside Iraq to come and see how beautiful it is here. This is a joy and a gathering that we definitely take pride in because Christians certainly need these type of festivals. The costume I am wearing today represents the Assyrian flag since we are celebrating the Assyrian-Babylonian New Year today."
12. People dancing during celebration
13. Various of people marching

STORYLINE:
Christians in the Kurdish region of Iraq observed on Saturday the ancient festival of Akitu with music, dancing and a lively celebration.

Thousands of Christians attended a celebration in Dohuk to mark Akitu, or the Babylonian-Assyrian new year.

April 1 marks the start of the new year in the Babylonian and Assyrian civilizations, making this day the start of the year 6773.

"We’ve been celebrating continuously for almost 7,000 years, and we hope to continue for 7,000 more," said one reveler as she attended the celebrations.

Some people donned traditional outfits to mark the day, while other welcomed the occasion with traditional dancing.

Among those celebrating was Maria Farhad who attended the festivities in a costume that represents the Assyrian flag.

"I invite all Christians who are outside Iraq to come and see how beautiful it is here," she said.

Iraq's Christian population has dwindled from around 1.5 million before the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that plunged the country into chaos to just a few hundred thousand today.

Akitu is the name of a Babylonian temple located just outside the city of Babylonian in Mesopotamia or Iraq.

Akitu is also the spring festival in ancient Mesopotamia.

"This is a joy and a gathering that we definitely take pride in because Christians certainly need these type of festivals," Farhad said.

AP video shot by Rashid Yahya

===========================================================

Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: [email protected].

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter:   / ap_archive  
Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​
Instagram:   / apnews  


You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...