Kurds from across Europe are gathering at the 21st International Kurdish Film Festival which has opened in the German city Dortmund today.

The festival at Westfalenhallen Park has been organized by the Federation of Kurdish Associations in Germany (YEK-KOM), under the slogan “Status for Kurdistan, freedom for Abdullah Öcalan”.

Tens of thousands will be attending the International Kurdish Film Festival which has been dedicated to Kurdish politicians murdered in Paris, Sakine Cansız, Fidan Doğan, Leyla Şaylemez and the people killed in Rojava.

Today's program will be starting with the opening speeches of YEK-KOM co-chairs Yüksel Koç and Hamdiye Akbayır. Representatives of many organizations and associations are expected to make a speech including BDP (Peace and Democracy Party) co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş and PYD (Democratic Union Party) co-chair Saleh Muslim.

The program will continue with the performances of TEV-CAND artists, musicians and folklore groups.

Dozens of Kurdish parties,institutions and organizations have opened a stand in the festival area.

The festival will also be joined by the president of the Federation of Alevi Unions in Germany as well as representatives of German Left Party (Die Linke), Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) and Democratic Society Congress (DTK).