The “Peanut and Nature Festival” organized by Sêrt (Siirt) Municipality has witnessed live performances by Kurdish poets Rênas Jiyan and Berken Bereh as well as dengbej [story tellers singing their stran (ballads)] from Botan region and a group of erbane (a tambourine with jingles) performers from MKM (Mesopotamia Cultural Center) in Wêranşar (Viranşehir) district of Urfa province.

Speaking at the poem performance at Kızlar Hill tea garden, Kurdish poet Berken Bereh said that one's failure to be free was not only a deep pain but also a black mark written on his/her face.

Remarking that the Kurdish people do also have this black mark written on their face for they are not completely liberated yet, Bereh put emphasis on the role of poem and other arts in the nationalization of a people fighting for freedom.

Speaking after, poet Rênas Jiyan said that a free person meant a free soul and free mind. Jiyan called attention to the use of mother tongue as part of freedom, adding that poems were the best way of self-expression in a language.

The speeches were followed by the performances of Kal’et’ül Üstat and the erbane group Ax û Av near the Botan river, and the well-known dengbejs of Botan region Hanîfa Silopî, Kurdê, Şexmusê Ekendi, Sadullahê Eruhî, Zekiyê Torikî and Eledinê Xertî.

The events were also joined by mayor of Sêrt Selim Sadak, Misirc (Kurtalan) mayor Necat Yılmaz, executives of the BDP (Peace and Democracy Party) and HDP (People's Democratic Party), Peace Mothers Initiative and a number of civilians from the region.