Belgian capital Brussels is hosting this year the 4th Kurdistan Culture Week, the first of which was held in 2014. The one week-long event is organised by the Kurdish Institute in Belgium, the KNK (Kurdistan National Congress), NAV-BEL (Belgium Kurdish Society Center) and the Armenian National Committee in Belgium and with contribution of the Municipality of Brussel. The Kurdistan Culture Week held in the d'Espagne Square features many programs including the "Kurdish village", cinema, photo exhibition, live music and seminars. The event will continue until October 1.

Beginning of the Kurdistan Culture Week was marked in a reception event in the De Martken Cultural Centre. Present at the reception were Flemish Parliament President Jan Peumans, MP and European Regions Council member Karl Vanlouwe, Armenian National Committee in Belgium member Garebet Garo, KNK Executive Council member Adem Uzun, Lawyer Mahmut Şakar and many more.

“I AM PROUD TO BE WITH THE KURDS”

President of the Flemish Parliament Jan Peumans held the reception's opening speech, expressed his happiness over the organization of Kurdistan Culture Week. He remarked that it was of importance for these cultural programs to be organized in Brussels as through such opportunities they get an insight into the diversity of cultures and the values of each other. Peumans said he was glad to stand with the Kurdish people.

"DEMANDS OF THE KURDS SHOULD BE SUPPORTED"

Peumans continued saying: "Kurds are fighting a freedom struggle for many years in Iran, Syria, Turkey and Iraq. I consider the struggle of the Kurds important and am standing with them." Peumans also spoke of the referendum in Southern Kurdistan and said: "This demand of the Kurds should be supported."

Flemish Parliament MP and European Regions Council member Karl Vanlouwe also voiced his support to the Kurdish people.

"WE SHOULD COME AND BE TOGETHER"

Speaking after, member of the Armenian National Committee in Belgium, Garebet Garo said: "It is important that we come together with our Kurdish friends in diaspora in such an event. It is important for us as communities that have faced continuous genocides throughout history to come and be together. We need to extend these programs that bring us together especially in the diaspora."