The countdown has begun for the 1st Swiss Kurdish Culture Festival, to be held for the first time this year in Switzerland. The Swiss Democratic Kurdish Council (CDK-S) and the Swiss Kurdish Women’s Union (YJK-S) have almost finished preparations for the festival.
In a joint statement, the CDK-S and the YJK-S said: “This festival is not just entertainment or a purely cultural event; it is the cultural front of our people’s effort to preserve their memory and march toward a free future. It will be recorded as a historic day when art and culture merge with the spirit of resistance, and where women and youth take ownership.”
The statement emphasized that the Kurdish people’s identity, language, and culture will be reproduced and preserved under diaspora conditions.
Highlighting that the festival will also carry the spirit of resistance of the 15 August initiative, CDK-S and YJK-S called on all communities for strong participation.
Kurdish Institute: Our culture is our future
At the graduation event of Kurdish language courses, Fatma Şık, spokesperson of the Swiss Kurdish Institute, and member Veli Eren called for participation in the festival: “This festival, being held for the first time, is not only a gathering but also the resistance of our language, our art, and our identity. We call on all our people to join in strongly.”
Women’s Commune: Let’s protect our identity and language
The Sema Yüce Women’s Commune in Geneva also made a strong call for participation in the festival. Speaking on behalf of the commune, Naile Budak said:“To protect our culture, our language, and our identity, we call on all our women’s structures, our youth, and our people to come together on 23 August with the spirit of resistance of 15 August.”
Art and resistance
Artists Rojda, Lawje (Ali Tekbaş), DJ Qoser, Şengül Aslan, Kurdische Kollektiv, Delîl Tofan, and Govenda Swîsre will perform at the festival. There will also be special play areas for children, cultural and artistic workshops, and stands offering traditional dishes from Kurdish cuisine.
Source: ANF News
