CULTURE

Latest News

• HDK pays tribute to writer Yaşar Kemal 

  Peoples' Democratic Congress (HDK) Culture and Art Commission commemorated world-renowned writer Yaşar Kemal, who died on 28 February 2015.
• Kurdish rapper refuses to do his military service 

  "I do not want to support the war policy of the rulers who promote militarism in order to maintain their existence," said Kurdish rapper Gewr from Siirt refusing to join the military service.
• Turkey’s gangs digging near the Roman Amphitheater in Nabi Huri, Afrin 

  Turkish-backed factions continue digging near the Roman Amphitheater in Nabi Huri fortress in Shera district of Afrin in full view of the Turkish forces, SOHR reports.
• Mardin: Grave robbers devastate historical mausoleum 

  In Mardin, a 700-year-old mausoleum was devastated by grave robbers. The residents are outraged and demand commitment from the state foundation administration. This is not the first time that grave robbing has taken place in the area.
• Kevana Zêrîn organises Women's Literature and Art Festival in Jazira Canton 

  The Jazira Region Cultural Committee will be hold the Women's Literature and Art Festival with the slogan "Women Renew the Spirit of Cultures" on 1 and 2 March this year.
• IHD celebrates International Mother Language Day 

  The Human Rights Association (IHD) issued a statement to mark International Mother Language Day. "People should be ensured to speak, receive education in their own language, and continue their lives and cultures."
• Campaign for the Preservation of Kirmanckî 

  In order to promote the preservation and further development of Kirmanckî, civil society organizations from Northern Kurdistan have launched a campaign for International Mother Language Day: #ZoneMuwaXoQeseyke
• Oslo City Council rejects Turkish demand for removal of Rojava mural 

  The Oslo City Council has met for a special session and unanimously decided that a mural on the Women's Revolution in Rojava will remain against Turkey’s demand.
• Hozan Seyidxan releases song about Qandil 

  Qandil is both a symbol of resistance and honor and a center of national unity for the Kurdish people, says Kurdish artist Hozan Seyitxan who wrote a song on the Kurdish stronghold.
• Short film tells the story of refugees in Shehba 

  The short film "Story of a Refugee" is a production of the Shehba Canton Culture and Arts Committee and will be released soon.
• Van Castle falls victim of the government policy aimed at destroying historical heritage 

  The historical Van Castle is an example of the policy pursued by the AKP-MHP government to destroy Kurdish other nations' identities.
• Art exhibition opens in Qamishlo 

  Art exhibition opens in Qamishlo today.
• Kurdish mural in Oslo not removed despite death threat 

  Norwegian politician Eivor Evenrud has received massive death threats for speaking out in favor of keeping a Kurdish mural. The cultural committee has now unanimously decided that the picture with a quote from Öcalan will remain.
• Dengbêj of the Future: Herêm Nêrgîz 

  Herêm Nêrgîz was interested in Dengbêj at an early age in a musician family, and today she is taking Dengbêj and Baglama training by singing folk songs and strans.
• First comic children's magazine begins publication 

  GOG, the first Kurdish comic children's magazine, began publication. The magazine will contain the adventures of many entertaining characters and educational content and is aimed at the 7-14 age group.
• Peace in Kurdistan: US memorandum gives Turkey legal rights over Kurdish heritage 

  Peace in Kurdistan said that the Memorandum of Understanding signed by Trump in his final week as US president is "a licence to plunder and destroy".
• Last synagogue in Amed in danger of collapsing 

  The synagogue in Çermik, built in 1416, is in danger of collapsing. It is the last Jewish place of worship in the province of Amed and is being used as a warehouse despite being a protected monument.
• Project on gender violence between German and Rojava universities 

  The Department of Social Sciences of the Emden / Leer university and the Jineoloji department of the Rojava University ended a semester of work on gender violence.
• Remembering Murray Bookchin on his 100th birthday 

  Today marks American political philosopher and activist Murray Bookchin's 100th birthday.
• Artists in Europe launch campaign 'The time for Freedom is now' 

  Kurdish artist collectives living in Europe started an action in different countries within the scope of the "Dem dema azadiye" initiative (The time for Freedom is now). The artists launched their actions in Basel, Switzerland.
• Kurdish Language Platform lists demands 

  The Kurdish Language Platform (Platforma Zimanâ Kurdî) held a press conference to urge the Turkish Language Association (TDK) to work on Kurdish.
• Celebrating Murray Bookchin on his 100th anniversary 

  Online launch of the book "Enlightenment and Ecology: The Legacy of Murray Bookchin in the 21st Century".
• Academics protest seizure of book on Öcalan they edited 

  Dr Thomas Jeffrey Miley and Dr Federico Venturini, protested the confiscation by the German authorities of the Arabic translation of the book they edited, Your Freedom and Mine: Abdullah Öcalan and the Kurdish Question in Erdoğan's Turkey.
• Radio channel Dengê Çira Şengalê back on air  

  The Yazidi radio channel Dengê Çira Şengalê is back on air after technical problems.
• Germany seizes scientific book as photo of Öcalan is on cover 

  The Düsseldorf Customs have confiscated 500 books because the photo of Abdullah Öcalan is depicted on the cover. The editors of the book on the Kurdish question are renown scientists Thomas Jeffrey Miles and Federico Venturini.