ZEYNEB ÎSA

Dêrik (Al-Malikiyah)- The Turkish occupation attacks on Afrin Canton and the city of Serêkanîyê (Ras al-Ayn) between 2018 and 2019 displaced thousands. Those displaced to Jazira Canton keep resisting despite the difficult living conditions. Three displaced women from Afrin and Serêkanîyê, who live in Dêrik, a city in Jazira Canton of North and East Syria, have realized their dreams through art at the Benga Çandiniyê, a culture and art center in the city.

‘I have proven myself as a Kurdish woman’

Rewşen Muhemed (24) is a displaced woman of Serêkanîyê living in Dêrik and a dengbêj (Kurdish singer, storyteller). Since her childhood, she has been interested in art. “I began to sing songs five years ago. As a female dengbêj, my goal is to preserve this art. I always want to sing songs because whenever I sing songs, I feel relaxed. Our society is unfortunately affected by the patriarchal mindset. As a Kurdish woman, I have proved myself by performing my art despite all the obstacles.”

‘I exist with my voice’

Rewşen Muhemed sings songs of many famous Kurdish singers such as Eyşe Şan, Şerîbana Kurdî, Meryem Xan, Tehsîn Taha and Eyaz Yusif. “I am mostly inspired by Şerîbana Kurdî and Eyşe Şan. Kurdish women have been subjected to many rights violations; everything that women did was seen as shameful. We have many important poets, who exist with their pens and singers, who exist with their voices. As a Kurdish dengbêj, I exist with my voice. I will always preserve Kurdish culture by performing my art.”

‘My aim is to express my emotions through my paintings’

Eyşa Hemo is a displaced woman of Afrin and a painter, who lives in Dêrik. Since her childhood, she has been interested in painting. “I began to paint when I was a child. I felt very good while painting. I told the stories in my city in my paintings. However, I did not have the chance to improve myself that much. I studied civil engineering at university. Thanks to the Benga Çandiniyê, I began to paint again. My aim is to express my emotions through my paintings.”

Speaking about the challenges faced by her, Eyşa Hemo said, “I have faced my challenges such as family problems, social and financial problems but the most painful thing for me is to be away from my homeland. But I do not allow these problems to affect me. I express my emotions through art. One of my paintings that affect me the most is the one telling the occupation of Afrin. I want to have a workshop in the future to keep my paintings there. I also want to teach children how to paint.”

‘I want to keep memories about Afrin alive’

Mejdûlîn Osman is also a displaced woman of Afrin and an artist. “Since we were displaced to the city of Dêrik, I have always wanted to have a house that I could decorate with my paintings. I use silicone, cardboard, empty glass bottles, the leaves of olive trees, watercolor and paper bags to create my artwork. I want to keep memories about Afrin alive by using the leaves of olive trees that symbolizes Afrin. I call on all women not to waste their time at home. Join art activities and achieve success.”