ŞERİN MUHAMMED

Qamishlo (Qamishli)- All institutions and organizations in North and East Syria make great efforts for the development of society and the integration of all people from different ethnic and religious identities. The Culture Council in the Jazira canton of North and East Syria has played a leading role by developing cultural projects since the declaration of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES). The council focuses on increasing women’s social participation, carrying out activities on art, language and culture.

All institutions and organizations have played an important role in culture and society since the start of the revolution in Rojava, Feryal Culi, Co-chair of the Culture Council in Jazira canton, told NuJINHA. “The Culture Council faced many challenges; increasing women’s participation in cultural activities was one of the most important challenges that the council tried to overcome. At the beginning of the revolution, women’s participation in social and cultural activities was very low. Over time, women started leading their society and playing an important role in all facets of life.”

The Culture Council is an umbrella organization for all cultural institutions in the canton such as Children's Orchestra, Lilith Workshop and Pargin Culture and Art Center. “These institutions work to integrate society through art and culture and build a bridge among people from different identities. There are art and culture centers in all cities and towns such as Derik, Til Temir, Dirbasiyah and Hasakah.”

‘Conflict has a negative effect on development’

Feryal Culi gave us information about the activities of the council. “We have developed many cultural projects in the region since the foundation of the council. The Martyr Herekol Exhibition, the Women's Literature and Art Festival, and the Young Writers Competition are some of them. We aim to create a generation of educated children having different abilities. We aim to put many projects into practice to emphasize the coexistence of people from different identities and the integration of their cultures. Clashes and conflict have a negative effect on the cultural development in the region. In addition, the ongoing Turkish attacks on the region hinder many cultural projects. We work to minimize the negative effects on cultural activities.”

The council plans to organize the ninth edition of the Qamishlo Book Fair, which is held in three languages: Kurdish, Arabic and Syriac. The council also carries out cultural activities on special days. “Thousands of young men and women participate in our activities. Children who grew up during the revolution now play their role in preserving their culture,” said Feryal Culi, pointing to the Syrian interim government’s policies that ignore women.

 

“The interim administration marginalizes women, excluding them from all facets of life, committing rights violations against them. We witnessed how female artists and musicians were killed under various pretexts. They (the government) target women because they want to exclude and intimidate women and break their will. Therefore, women should actively participate in all facets of life. The unity of women and their commitment to culture will preserve all cultures.”