Held for the first time in Switzerland, the Kurdish Culture Festival was organized by the Democratic Kurdish Council of Switzerland (CDK-S) and the Kurdish Women’s Union of Switzerland (YJK-S). The festival’s slogan was “Building a Democratic Society in the Spirit of August 15.” Thousands of Kurds and their friends attended the event, which began with the commemoration of the martyrs of the revolution, and the anthem Ey Reqîb.
CDK-S co-chairs Dilan Çetinkaya and Cemal Özdemir greeted the crowd, emphasizing that this first festival was organized in the spirit of August 15 and paying tribute to the martyrs of the Kurdish freedom struggle. Çetinkaya said: “We stand with President Öcalan. We will carry this struggle to the end. Kurdish culture, art, and language are milestones on the path to a free future. For the success of the process initiated by President Öcalan, we will fight more strongly than ever.”
Özdemir added: “We celebrate this festival in the spirit of August 15. Fifty years ago, no one even spoke of the Kurds. Our language and culture were banned. But today we celebrate a Kurdish cultural festival in Zurich. This is the outcome of a 50-year-long struggle. In every way, we will stand with President Öcalan and our martyrs, and we will be in the squares. We will achieve victory for social peace.”
Öcalan needs to be released
KCDK-E co-chair Zübeyde Zümrüt, also speaking at the festival, drew attention to Öcalan’s 27 February call, stressing that the process cannot advance without his freedom. She said: “The Kurdish people have struggled for many years. August 15 carries historical significance for us. I congratulate you who are here today. For years, you have carried this work forward in Europe, introducing our language and culture to the peoples of these countries. The Kurdish people have now reached the stage of freedom, of gaining political status. The days are near. For lasting peace, we respond to President Öcalan’s call. For 50 years, we have always paid a price, and we will continue to stand behind his call no matter the cost.”
Dr. Peppe Savary, co-spokesperson of the “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan Committee” in Switzerland, referred to the recent disarmament ceremony by PKK guerrillas, saying: “Under the leadership of Commander Besê Hozat, 15 male and 15 female guerrillas set fire to their weapons, sending a strong message. We are watching how the Turkish state and Erdoğan will respond. We hope they will also take steps.” He ended his speech with the slogan ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadî’ (‘Women, Life, Freedom’).
Speaking for the Kurdish Women’s Movement, Şükran Sincar underlined that Kurdish women are behind the process initiated by Öcalan: “He waged a serious struggle for women’s freedom. He never said, ‘First the revolution, then women’s liberation.’ He made women’s freedom integral to the struggle for freedom. For this reason, Kurdish women will always stand by their leader.”
Kurdish politician Selahattin Soro declared: “We have completed 41 years since August 15 and entered the 42nd. Congratulations first to Commander Egîd, Commander Zilan, Commander Berîtan, and above all, President Öcalan. The August 15 Uprising was carried out against the mentality that denied the Kurds. Now, we must bring Öcalan’s 27 February call to victory. Until the walls of Imralı are torn down, and until our youth in the mountains have the freedom to engage in politics, we must fulfill our responsibilities.”
Abdullah Öcalan opens the path to democratic politics
Politician Sabahat Tuncel, said: “I have met many comrades here who are in exile because of the lack of resolution of the Kurdish question. As Turkey enters a new period, those forced to live in exile have great responsibilities. Everyone must continue the struggle wherever they are.
One important point from Öcalan’s message must be underlined: he says this new manifesto is as significant as ‘The Path of the Kurdish Revolution’ manifesto of 52 years ago, which called for an independent, united, socialist Kurdistan through armed struggle. Today, Öcalan changes this strategy, rebuilding the freedom struggle of the Kurds on the perspective of democratic freedom. By setting aside arms, he opens the way for democratic politics.”
Tuncel concluded by stressing that Öcalan has called on the state to recognize identities and remove barriers: “He told them to ‘recognize Kurdish identity, recognize Alevi identity. Do not block them.’ This is the new path forward.”
Cultural program
The stage program opened with the Music Collective of the Aarau Mehmet Tunç Assembly. Other performances included Delil Tofan, Govenda Swisre, Şengül Astan, Lawje (Ali Tekbaş), Rojda, and DJ Qoser, closing the night with music and dance.
Source: ANF News
