44 people have successfully completed their Kurdish course at the Ayşe Şan Language and Culture Center in Silopi. This is not a given, as education in the mother tongue is repeatedly targeted by state repression.
The first graduates of the Kurdish course at the Ayşe Şan Language and Culture Center of the city administration of the Kurdish border town of Silopi (Silopîya) received their graduation certificates.
In addition to the 44 graduates, the ceremony, which took place in the Cigerxwin conference room of the Ayşe Şan Language and Culture Center, was attended by the DEM party MP Zeki Irmez, representatives of the Council of Peace Mothers, the Free Women's Movement TJA, the Birca Belek Language and Culture Association and many other people.
"No force can dissuade us from our language"
Speaking on behalf of the Ayşe Şan Language and Culture Center, Aydın Deniz said: "Recently, racists and nationalists have been pursuing a policy of hostility towards the Kurdish language and identity. As patriots who love their language, we say that no force can break our will."
Müslüm Ergin then underlined the great importance of Kurdish intellectuals and writers in Kurdish history and said: "They all have a great influence on our future."
"The Kurdish language has deep roots"
The deputy chair of the DEM party Şirnex, Zeki Irmez, also underlined the importance of language studies. Irmez said: “The history of the Kurdish language is deeply rooted. Its perspective is deep. We must protect all of our intellectuals and writers. We must protect our language. The rulers in our countries may oppress us, but we must stand up for our language in our homes, on our streets and in all areas of life.”
After the speeches, the graduates received their certificates. They repeatedly shouted “Bê ziman jiyan nabe” – “Without language, there is no life”. The program ended with joint Govend dances.
