Yennayer – Das Amazigh Neujahrsfest

In the organizer's words:

On January 18, 2025, the Karlstorbahnhof celebrates Yennayer, the traditional New Year's festival of the Masiren. According to the Amazigh calendar, Yennayer marks the beginning of a new agricultural year and stands for renewal, harvest and community. The festival is traditionally celebrated on January 12 to mark the transition into the new year.

The event begins with a lecture on the culture of the Masirs by Dr. Akli Kebaili, lawyer, political scientist and former head of the anti-discrimination office at the Office for Multicultural Affairs in Frankfurt am Main, followed by live musical performances and a communal feast.

Who are the Masirs?
Even today, many Europeans still refer to the indigenous people of North Africa as "Berbers" - a foreign term that essentially means "barbarians". However, the people themselves call themselves "Imaziɣen", German: Masiren (singular: Amazigh), which means "free people". Their culture is unique and dates back over 3,000 years, but it was suppressed for centuries in many North African states.

Today, the Masirs celebrate their culture, language and traditions with pride, and Yennayer is an expression of this rich history and connection to nature.

The event will be open and anyone interested in Masir culture is welcome to attend. The aim is to create visibility for a culture that has long been made invisible. A New Year celebration offers the opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of the Masirs in today's society.