Kurdish Cultural Festival Held in Stockholm
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Loading... - Gabriel Fortin
- 16 Oct 2024
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On 1 September 2024, coinciding with World Peace Day, the Kurdish Cultural Festival was held in Stockholm, Sweden. Organized by the Swedish Democratic Kurdish Community Centre (NCDK), the Amara Women’s Assembly, and the Teşi Kurdish Cultural Centre, the festival became a platform for calls for freedom for Abdullah Öcalan and solidarity with the guerrilla resistance.
The event began with a moment of silence to honor the martyrs of Kurdistan, including Gulistan Tara, Hêro Bahadin, Rosîda Mêrdîn, and Orhan Bingöl.
Calls for Unity and Resistance
During the festival, Menice Yiğit Yıldırım and Mehmet Kaya, co-chairs of the NCDK, addressed the ongoing attacks on Kurdish culture and language by the Turkish state. They emphasized the need for unity around the ‘Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, a Political Solution to the Kurdish Question’ campaign, launched in October 2023.
Zeyneb Murad, co-chair of the Kurdistan National Congress (KNK), highlighted the challenges facing the Kurdish people amid political chaos in the Middle East. She criticized Turkey, Iran, Syria, and Iraq for forming alliances against Kurdish progress and urged Kurdish political parties and institutions to stand together against these attacks.
Murad stated:
“Our enemies exploit global and regional instability to undo the gains of the Kurdish people. While political and religious differences exist between these states, they unite when it comes to suppressing the Kurdish people. This is a decisive moment for us. We must resist the occupation of Kurdistan's lands and the killing of our children.”
A Call for Mobilization
The Kurdish Women’s Movement in Europe (TJK-E) sent a message urging active participation in mobilizations marking the second anniversary of the ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadî’ (Woman, Life, Freedom) revolution. The message reaffirmed the Kurdish people’s unwavering support for Abdullah Öcalan, saying:
“The Kurdish people are telling the world that they stand by their Leader and that a free life without the Leader is impossible.”
Messages of solidarity were also shared by the Swedish Left Party and the Assyrian-Syriac party Bet-Nahrin, stressing the importance of a common struggle for justice and equality.
Cultural Celebration and Performances
The festival was a lively celebration of Kurdish culture, with performances from artists such as Koma Yarsan, Koma Çarnewa, Ayfer Düzdaş, Şerif Omeri, Helim Omeri, Nahid Hewrami, and Rizgar Hewrami. Dressed in traditional Kurdish attire, participants danced and sang along with slogans like ‘Bijî Serok Apo’ (Long Live Leader Öcalan) and ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadî’ filling the air.
The Kurdish Institute, Jineoloji, and PENA Kurd also set up stalls, showcasing books and promoting their cultural and intellectual work.
The Zarok Ma team created a special space for children, introducing them to Kurdish songs and traditions through a workshop held on 31 August in Gamla Stan, the heart of Stockholm.
The festival lasted into the night, ending with spirited chants of freedom and unity. Through cultural expression, political statements, and calls for mobilization, the event highlighted the Kurdish people's ongoing struggle for recognition, peace, and freedom in the face of continued challenges.
