THE AKITU FESTIVAL : March 21 the Assyrian New Year festival at Bet-Nahrain LIVE on AssyriaSat

 

Assyrian New Year starts at the exact moment of the vernal equinox, commencing the start of the spring. It is considered as the start of the New Year among Assyrians, Persians, Afghani, Kurds and others. Assyrian New Year (Rish Nisannu) has been celebrated for at least 7,000 years in Assyria and is deeply rooted in the rituals and traditions.

 

Assyrian New Year celebrates a new year and rebirth of the nature. Assyrians have celebrated the new year with the beginning of the Spring Season. Assyrian Nation was one of the first Nation to embrace Christianity in the first century A.D. Hence, over the time adopted the Julian calendar. But, still until 1582 New Year celebration was conducted April 1st which was at the same time of  vernal equinox (or spring equinox). The Julian calendar was switched over to the Gregorian calendar starting in 1582, at which point the 11 day difference between the actual time of year and traditional time of year on which calendarical events occurred became intolerable. The switchover was bitterly opposed by much of the populace, who feared it was attempt by landlords to cheat them out of a week and a half's rent. However, when Pope Gregory XIII decreed that the day after October 4, 1582 would be October 15, 1582, the Catholic countries of France, Spain, Portugal, and Italy complied. The 11 days were added, or lost, then April 1st became 11 days after the vernal equinox the first day of Spring Season. This change has caused some confusion over which day is the time to celebrate the New Year ( March 21 or April 1st). Celebration of the New Year is about the beginning of the new season and not about the calendar.