Yesterday, 15 May, Kurdish Language Day, was celebrated in many provinces in North Kurdistan. A large Kurdish-language crèche was opened in Van and the foundations laid of a second Kurdish crèche in Amed. The Turkish Medical Association (TTB) said that all health services should be provided in the mother tongue.

VAN

On the occasion of Kurdish Language Day, the first Kurdish-language crèche, called Perpêrok (butterfly) was opened in Van. The opening of the crèche was attended by HDP Van candidate Tuğba Hezer and Van Co-mayors Hatice Çoban and Bekir Kaya.

The dignitaries watched a play performed by the children at the crèche, and listened to them sing Kurdish songs.

Van Co-mayor Kaya said: "83 years ago in Damascus Kurdish intellectuals published the Hawar magazine. Now millions have the opportunity to read in Kurdish. The Kurdish people are engaged in a struggle for their language, history and traditions.” Kaya thanked everyone there for their efforts in opening the crèche, which has the capacity to look after 90 children up to the age of 6.

MERSIN

In Mersin KURDİ-DER organised a function on the occasion of Kurdish Language Day. People dressed in tradition costume gathered in front of the association building and marched to the Özgür Children’s Park playing traditional instruments.

AMED

In Amed Dr. Şeyhmus Gökalp from the Turkish Medical Association said all health services should be provided in the mother tongue, and that this was a fundamental human right.  

The foundations of a second Kurdish-language crèche were started in the city. Co-mayor Fırat Anlı said the crèche would cater for both Kurmancî and Kirmançkî (Zazaca) speakers, as 30% of residents of the city spoke Zazaca, while 70 per cent spoke Kurmancî. Anlı said that in this crèche there would be 70% Zazaca spoken.    

Kurdish Language Day was also celebrated in Siirt, Batman, Bingöl and Nusaybin, Urfa, Malatya, Muş, Adana, Ağrı and Iğdır. In Iğdır HDP candidate Kıznaz Türkeli sang a song in her mother tongue of Azeri.  She complained that she was unable to use her mother tongue as much as she wanted.  

Protests against assimilation were also held in Siirt, Batman, Bingöl, Nusaybin, Urfa, Malatya, Adana, Muş, Ağrı and Iğdır.