Şiyar Amed, one of the delegates at the 12th Extraordinary Congress of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), stated that a greater and more significant phase is now beginning. He said, “A new phase of practical implementation is starting. A new door is opening. A new horizon is unfolding before us.”

The 12th Congress of the PKK was held between May 5 and 7 in the Medya Defense Zones. Its final declaration and the decisions taken were shared with the public on May 12. Şiyar Amed began his speech by honoring all the martyrs, particularly remembering Ali Haydar Kaytan, Rıza Altun, and Sakine Cansız with gratitude. He noted that he agreed with the concise and poignant speeches of the other delegates and pointed out that the decision to dissolve had already been explained by President Öcalan. He said, “I would just like to briefly share how I understand this process through the language of art and literature.”

He changed the fate of a people

Şiyar Amed stated that President Öcalan had changed the course of history and noted that, in literary terms, this could be described as “changing the story” or “changing the fate of the story.” He continued: “President Öcalan changed the fate of many stories, he changed the fate of a people, and he is changing the fate of humanity. During the Imralı process, he tried to explain this through mythology, literature, and art. At first, he referred to Hector and asked, ‘Why was I not Hector?’ Then he answered himself: ‘Hector fought heroically, and Anatolia fell. My not becoming Hector, my refusal to become a hero now, is the greatest heroism.’ He expressed that his goal was freedom and liberation together with the peoples of Anatolia. And today, here we are, on May 6. Together with the peoples of Turkey, with the peoples of Anatolia, and in memory of the honorable Sırrı Süreyya Önder, a monument is being created. Now, the fate of this story is changing. There are some stories whose fate is very difficult to change, but President Öcalan changed them. He never said, ‘‘This happened in the past, it has been told, and it cannot be changed. The Epic of Gilgamesh is the clearest example. In the past, we saw Enkidu as a heroic figure equal to Gilgamesh. But President Öcalan later interpreted it differently. That is, his interpretation of history was always unique. And now, through his latest interpretations, he is truly changing fate. He is completely transforming the fate of the story. We have entered such a phase.”

We will pass through new stages

Şiyar Amed added that President Öcalan always sought to reveal the essence of things. He said, “So, without taking up too much of your time, I would like to share a brief artistic story. They bring two stones and give them to two great artists, telling them, ‘Carve the stone and create a work of art.’ One of them sculpts a perfect replica. The other leaves it rough and uneven, but says, ‘Come closer.’ When they do, they see that the one who left it irregular has brought the stone to life, energy is radiating from it. President Öcalan always revealed the essence. That is true art. The greatest artist is President Öcalan. So, when he said ‘I am liberated,’ perhaps he meant that the formal structures that blocked the opening of new doors had been removed. Of course, President Öcalan has made evaluations related to the essence. None of us reject that. There are also philosophical reflections on it. Now, we have stepped through the gate of truth. Every gate leads through many stages. Our comrades also pointed this out. From now on, we will pass through many new stages.”

Time for a new beginning

Şiyar Amed concluded his remarks with another brief story reflecting the theme of transformation: “Old eagles, if they are not weary of life, break their beaks and wings against the rocks. They endure immense pain. But if they are willing to face that pain, new ones grow in their place. A new beak, new wings, and with magnificent majesty, they begin to fly again. I believe we are entering such a period, a time when we will be reborn with majesty. I feel this excitement among my comrades as well. President Öcalan has always approached everything with the concept of meaning. In this new phase we are entering, we are truly opening up new horizons in which to embody our love, our commitment, and our understanding in practice. Among Native American peoples, rather than saying ‘I love you,’ they say ‘I understand you.’ And that means ‘I love you.’ President Öcalan said that understanding is practicing. Now we are entering a period where we can practice more, and on a larger scale. As our comrades have also said, this is undoubtedly a new phase of self-criticism and a new period of practical action. A new door is opening. A new horizon is unfolding before us. I came here to share this excitement with all my comrades. With respect to all of you.”