Mizgîn Çolaq, member of the Organising Committee of the Martyr Berçem Festival and member of the Hîlala Zêrîn Movement Coordination, said: “We wanted to show the colour and identity of women in a wider way with the festival we organised in Kobanê.”
The second Martyr Berçem Women's Culture and Art Festival organised by the women's cultural movement Hîlala Zêrîn began in Kobanê on Friday. The festival, the first edition of which was held in the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood of Aleppo in 2022, included a four-day programme of concerts, dance groups, theatre performances, exhibitions and other artistic activities. The event organised under the slogan "Women's art becomes more beautiful with the light of the sun” was attended by 450 women from cultural groups from North and East Syria.
Tunisian artist Emel Mathlouthi and artist Şadi Xelami from Rojhilat (Eastern Kurdistan, Iran) were also set to attend the festival as guests but were prevented by the KDP from crossing into Rojava.
Mizgîn Çolaq, member of Martyr Berçem Festival Organising Committee and member of Hîlala Zêrîn Movement Coordination, spoke to ANHA about the festival.
Explaining that they wanted to revive the culture of resistance and women's will in these areas where women's resistance was experienced in history, Mizgîn Çolaq said, “We wanted to create an artistic picture with the festival. All participants took part in the festival with their clothes and colours.”
Mizgîn Çolaq continued: “32 art groups (stran-song, folklore, theatre and poetry) and 450 members participated in the festival. Many artists and poets also participated in the festival online. We wanted to develop and improve our 2nd festival. Our first festival was held in Şêxmeqsûd neighbourhood. That festival was also good. With this festival we organised in Kobanê, we wanted to show the colour and identity of women in a wider way. We also wanted to bring together many groups and artists from different components, giving new artists a chance. We attached great importance to folklore, which is very important for the people and reflects the culture of the people.”
Mizgîn Çolaq stated that they wanted to promote and publicise the slogan ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadî’ (Woman, Life, Freedom) more through the festival and said, “We dedicate this festival to Leader Apo (Abdullah Öcalan) who illuminated the path of women. Leader Apo paved the way for millions of women and gave them the opportunity to recognise themselves. This festival was organised within the framework of the demand for the physical freedom of Leader Apo.”
