People of the Maxmur Refugee Camp in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq) organised a spectacular event to mark the 38th anniversary of 15 August 1984, when a guerrilla force led by commander Mahsum Korkmaz - also known by his nom de Guerre Egîd ("the Brave") - carried out the first attack against the Turkish occupying forces in Eruh district of Siirt province in northern Kurdistan.

Last night, the 38th anniversary of the August 15th Initiative was celebrated in a spectacular event in the Martyr Rustem Cudi Refugee Camp (Maxmur). The event, held at the Maxmur Culture and Art Centre with the participation of hundreds of camp residents, started with a minute of silence in memory of all the martyrs.

Following a minute of silence, the Co-chair of the Martyr Rustem Cudi Camp People's Assembly, Filiz Budak, delivered a speech to mark the meaning and importance of the day.

Budak started her speech by congratulating Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, freedom fighters and all patriotic Kurdish people: “Happy 38th anniversary of the Resurrection Day to all Kurdish people. The first bullet has turned into a struggle and will. The 15 August Initiative was a response to slavery. We train ourselves and resist in the footsteps of Commander Egid. That's why no one can make us take a step back. Our guerrillas are now resisting chemical weapons in this spirit. We are sending our warmest greetings to our guerrillas fighting back the invaders in Zap, Avaşin and Metina. Victory will be theirs. Egid's path is the path of peace and freedom.”

After the opening speech, a documentary featuring the views of Öcalan and HPG Headquarters Commander Murat Karayılan about Resurrection Day was screened.

Afterwards, the Kevana Zêrin-Tev Çand music group, the Hêviyên Zap'ê halay dance group, artist Bager Medi and Martyr Ehmed Rubar halay dance group took the stage.

Representatives of the Kurdistan Communist Party (Hizbî Shui Kurdistan), the Gorran Movement, Dêrîn (former) Peshmerga and the PUK (Patriotic Union of Kurdistan) delivered their messages on the 15 August Initiative.

The Kurdistan Communist Party: “The resistance of the Kurdish people has been successful. Thanks to the resistance of the Kurdish people, the enemy has been defeated. On the occasion of the 15 August Initiative, we commemorate all the martyrs of Kurdistan and celebrate the Resurrection Day of all Kurdish people.”

The Gorran Movement: “We celebrate the 15 August Resistance Day of all Kurdish people.”

PUK’s Xazi Feysal: “All Kurdish parties have sacrificed martyrs in this revolution. We call upon all Kurdish parties and organizations for unity and solidarity on this holy day. We need unity to live in peace.”

Hozan Comert and Hozan Pashawa performed songs at the end of the event.