CULTURE

Latest News

• Murad Demir brings a new breath to Kurdish music 

  Murad Demir is no ordinary dengbêj singer. Although he sings about historical Kurdish events, myths and folk songs, he also accompanies them with Western classical instruments in addition to traditional ones.
• New free books from the International Initiative 

  The International Initiative Edition of the International Initiaitive “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan—Peace in Kurdistan” will be publishing several books. More books in electronic form will also be available to download at no charge. 
• Kurdish Institute now offers courses online 

  The Istanbul Institute for Kurdish Studies had to close because of Corona pandemic. To stay in contact with the students, it now offers its courses online.
• Kurdish musicians sing "Bella Ciao" for Italy 

  In solidarity with the people of Italy, Kurdish musicians have released a clip with the Kurdish version of the Italian partisan song "Bella Ciao".
• Two mountain Kurds, Hêvî and Yekta… 

  Hêvî and Yekta… Two freedom activists, the conscience of the society, members of the Martyr Sefkan Culture and Art School, two guerrillas, two artists, who take the shovel and turn whatever place in the mountaing into a stage to perform their plays. 
• Artists from Afrin release song for national unity 

  The artists from Afrin who have been displaced in Şehba wrote a song calling for national unity. A videoclip was made for the song which was joined by 22 Kurdish artists.
• Ji bo Azadiyê screened in Berlin 

  The film Ji bo Azadiyê (The end will be spectacular) had its opening in Berlin. Speaking after the screening, director Ersin Çelik said: "Artists and intellectuals should be as brave as the fighters."
• HDP celebrates Circassian Language and Writing Day 

  Celebrating the Circassian Language and Writing Day, the HDP endorsed the demands of the Circassian people.
• Ji bo Azadiyê screening dates released 

  The film 'Ji bo Azadiyê' by Ersin Çelik about the resistance of Sur, will be screened in several cities in Germany.
• Cultural heritage trying to survive: The Reşik shoes of Van 

  One of the most important traditions of Kurdish culture is shoemaking. The shoes called "Reşik" are produced in the small workshop of Mecit Emen in Van. Shoe manufacturer Emen said that their aim is to transfer a culture to the next generation.
• Drama by Maxine Peake about a British woman joining the YPJ 

  An original drama by Maxine Peake will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 on 8 March. The drama, directed by Nadia Molinari, is called Only Mountains.
• 550 Kurdish teachers receive diploma in Hesekê 

  In a festive atmosphere, the Education Committee of the Northern Syrian canton of Hesekê presented 550 new Kurdish teachers with their diplomas.
• Kurdish artist Seîd Yûsiv laid to rest in Qamishlo 

  At the age of 73, the Kurdish singer and composer Seîd Yûsiv died of cancer in an Istanbul hospital. He has been buried at his birthplace Qamishlo today. The "Prince of Tembûr" leaves behind a rich musical heritage.
• Eight detained at solidarity action with Grup Yorum members 

  Police attacked the action of the Solidarity Initiative with the Grup Yorum that was planned  in front of  Kadıköy Süreyya Opera House. 8 people were beaten and detained.
• Historical sites in Van free for soldiers but not for people  

  Entrance to Akdamar Island, in Van, was 15 TL last year. Now the price was increased to 25 TL by the Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism TL. People pay to visit historical sites while soldiers have free entrance.
• Kurdish musicians perform for national unity in Stockholm 

  A joint concert of numerous Kurdish musicians took place in Stockholm. The artists want to contribute to Kurdish national unity on a cultural level.
• Political musician on death fast to be released from prison 

  Group Yorum member İbrahim Gökçek has been in Silivri Prison since 1 March 2019. He has been on hunger strike since 18 June and turned the strike into death fast on 4 January 2020.
• Theatre play "Bûka Axê" to be performed in Maxmur 

  Despite the embargo and attacks, culture and art have a high status in the self-administered Maxmur refugee camp in Southern Kurdistan. The theatre group Hêvî Yekda is performing the play "Bûka Axê" there.
• 'Freedom of Art and Expression' action in Germany 

  An event called 'Freedom of Art and Expression' was organised to respond to racist policies of the Turkish and German states.
• Artists go on hunger strike in solidarity with Grup Yorum 

  Artists and intellectuals went on a hunger strike action in support of Group Yorum members who are on death fast.
• Kurds and universities in Berlin hold symposium on language 

  A two-day symposium on language was held in Berlin to mark 21 February, International Mother Language Day. YEKMAL promoted the event with the city's universities.
• Conference on Kurdish language underway in Amed 

  A conference organized by the Kurdish Language Platform and titled "Our language is our identity, our language is our existence" is taking place in Amed.
• Documentary about artist Mehmet Çapan premiered in Stuttgart 

  The premiere of the documentary about the life of artist Mehmet Çapan, was held in Stuttgart. At the gala attention was drawn to the importance of the mother language. 
• HDP MPs mark Mother Language Day: “Language is life” 

  Deputies displayed banners reading “Language is life” in several languages.
• Actions for Mother Language Day in North Kurdistan and Turkey 

  Actions held in many cities of Northern Kurdistan and Turkey on the Mother Language Day called people to stand up for the preservation of the Kurdish language.