Mimosa and Snowdrop...

March is coming to an end; we have entered its final quarter. Yesterday, Friday, March 21, 2025, was the day when day and night were of equal length. While the people of many countries celebrated Nowruz, Turkey was shaken by protest meetings. Celebrated for 3,000 years by various peoples around the world, Nowruz is traditionally the new year or the awakening of nature. The spring festival, or Nowruz, which is welcomed with enthusiasm by many peoples of the world, is celebrated as an official "Nowruz holiday" in some countries. More than 25 countries, primarily the Turkic Republics, celebrate Nowruz festivities traditionally, even if not as an official holiday. Nowruz celebrations may vary by country, taking place on March 20, 21, 22, or 23. In 2010, March 21 was recognized by the United Nations as the International Day of Nowruz.  

In our country this year, the public was on the streets and in the squares again on March 21. Rather than Nowruz celebrations, protest meetings were held. It will go down in history as a day when democracy was attempted to be obstructed. The government is doing everything in its power to prevent the primary election where the CHP's presidential candidate will be determined and to stop the elections from taking place. They detained the presidential candidate hopeful, Union of Municipalities of Turkey and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. The political interference in the judiciary is on full display for all to see. Furthermore, citing allegations regarding the latest CHP convention, they attempted to appoint a trustee to the head of the CHP, the party that founded the Republic.

In short, they are making unimaginable attempts to silence the opposition. They are blockading the CHP. Turkey is standing tall. 

No matter what they do, the ballot boxes will be placed on March 23. The ballot boxes, which are indispensable for democracy, will be placed, and the primary election will be held. We will all be at the ballot box together on Sunday. As the saying goes, "March is the month of trouble." It fits perfectly for Turkey. Since we entered March, we have been unable to experience the sanctity of the month of Ramadan, nor have we been able to observe our fasts with peace of mind. With the struggle for livelihood and daily hardships on one side, and the dark picture created by political chaos and intrigue on the other, we are rushing headlong toward the Eid al-Fitr and the month of April. There is no room for pessimism. With Nowruz, the light is growing. The days are getting longer. The antidote to pessimism is light. 

March is also the month of resistance and hope. The days that began with the resistance of women laborers on March 8 open doors to the light with Nowruz. The mimosa, the symbol of the sun and gold, is a victory won against the forces of evil and a symbol of triumphant life. With its fragile, delicate yellow flowers and strong branches, it is the flower of resistance. It is the symbol of women's power and resilience. The symbol of Nowruz, on the other hand, is the crocus (snowdrop). The snowdrop, also called the Nowruz flower, means abundance, prosperity, wealth, and light. 

From Atatürk to Deniz, for a fully independent Turkey: "There is no salvation alone; either all together or none of us." Hoping to meet at the democracy ballot boxes on Sunday, March 23, for a bright Turkey.

Prof. Dr. Nurettin DEMİR