HESNA MIHEMED

 Shahba-Every society has its own culture. Like every society, the Kurdish people are known for their culture. 20-year-old Sozdar Omar, a displaced woman of Afrin’s Jindires town currently living in Shahba, has been interested in Kurdish folk dances since her childhood. Being a member of the Hîlala Zêrîn Cultural Movement of Afrin-Shahba, she has been involved in art and cultural activities since 2011. Despite being displaced, she keeps being involved in the activities.

‘I allowed my dreams to grow like a tree’

“I have been interested in folk dances since my childhood,” said Sozdar Omar. “I began to be involved in art and cultural activities in Afrin in 2011. When you dance halay, you feel like you are in another world. In the past, it was shameful for a woman to lead a halay group. But I overcame the perception of ‘shame’ and allowed my dreams to grow like a tree. We have learned folk dances of Afrin and other regions.”

‘I feel very lucky to play my role’

Speaking about the difficulties and challenges faced by her due to displacement, she said, “We were displaced from Afrin to Shahba after our homeland was occupied. It is not easy to train under attack and siege but we keep training thanks to our will and strength. Our will is stronger than the attacks and siege.” Sozdar Omar has also acted in music videos. “I have acted in two music videos calling, ‘The Epic of the PKK’ and ‘Keziyên Sor (Red Braids)’. I feel very lucky to play my role in preserving Kurdish culture.”

Sozdar Omar is also interested in theatre. “I am also a theatre player. I like art and culture. I am a member of the Arîn Theatre and we performed at a festival in Kobanê. We also performed at the Mitan Festival. We send our message to the people through theatre. As young women, we must preserve our culture, our identity and existence in all circumstances.”