Cultural institutions need to unite in the planning of festivals

A number of cultural festivals are organised in the Jazira region every year. Artists who work in every branch of art, from literature to poetry, painting, folklore and music find the opportunity to show their work in the region.

Culture is one of the pillars of the Democratic Confederalism model, and the region of Jazira is honouring the commitment to culture by organising a number of festivals throughout the year. There are festivals such as that of Baglama and lute in January, women's literature and art in March, theater festival is also in March, while a festival for children is in April, as is the traditional folk folklore festival. In May there is a painting festival while the new writers’ festival is in June. Writers also have a festival in July dedicated to Martyr Herekol, while a traveling book festival also take place in July as well as the Osman Sebri literature festival. December is dedicated to Cinema and music festivals.

Each of the festivals is organized by a different institution. The institutions organizing the festival are: Directorate of Historical Places and Museums, Directorate of Tourism, Directorate of Culture and Arts, Aydın Women's Foundation, Qamishlo Children's Orchestra Academy, Hesekê Mesopotamia Academy.

Speaking to ANHA on the subject, Rewda Hesen, co-chair of the Jazira Region Culture and Arts Committee, said that they gave financial and moral support to the festivals.

Stating that the institutions in the region also support the festivals, Rewda added that some festivals could not be organized this year due to the coronavirus epidemic and the attacks of the Turkish state.

     

Ehmed Hisêni, one of the executive of the Rojava Intellectuals Union, said that the political developments in the region were reflected in cultural activities and that the festivals should be united under a single roof.

Stating that cultural institutions should come together when it comes to organize cultural activities, Hisêni emphasized that this can be possible through a common institution.

Stating that intellectuals should work independently of political circles, Hisêni added that intellectuals should be actively involved in cultural activities.

     

Qadir Egid, the head of the Syrian Kurdish Writers Union, said that they are collaborating with the Jazira Region Culture and Arts Committee.

Criticizing the fact that the cultural institutions in the Jazira Region act independently from each other, Egid underlined that the institutions act according to their political views.

     

Reminding that proposals were made to unite the cultural institutions under one roof at the congress of the Syrian Kurdish Writers Union, Egid said: “The most successful event we could do was to make a joint statement on the anniversary of the Turkish state's invasion of Serêkaniyê and Girê Spî. This also had a positive effect on the intellectuals in the region. Political differences in opinion also cause differences of opinion among the intellectuals. If the intelligentsia unions manage to act together, the politics of the region will also be positively affected."