The Peoples Democracy Party (HDP) opened its election office in the city of Van yesterday with a ceremony attended by thousands of people. HDP Van Co-chair M. Veysi Dilekçi called on all the peoples of Turkey to unite under the HDP banner.

March to musical accompaniment

Having already opened election offices in the districts of Van province, the HDP Van provincial organisation yesterday opened an election office in Van city. Hundreds of people, including HDP parliamentary candidates, played the ‘erbane’, a traditional instrument, as they walked towards the Beşyol square. The opening ceremony was attended by HDP Van MPs Kemal Aktaş and Nazmi Gür, DBP and HDP Van Co-chairs Van Metropolitan Co-mayor Hatice Çoban and district co-mayors.  

The people celebrated the opening by performing traditional dance

Thousands of people gathered at the Beşyol crossroads next to the Russian market, where the election office is situated. The people participated in the ‘halay’ traditional dance before applauding the candidates as they boarded the election bus.

“I call on all the peoples to unite under the HDP banner”

After a minute’s silence in memory of those who have fallen in the struggle, HDP Van Co-chair Veysi Dilekçi addressed the crowd from the election bus. He said that their goal was peace and fraternity and invited all the peoples of Turkey to unite under the HDP banner.

The opening ceremony ended with the cutting of a ribbon and more ‘halay’ dancing.