Êlih (Batman)- Young people showed great interest in the Women’s Festival of Art and Culture, organized by the Sanatça Organization, the Confederation of Public Workers' Unions (KESK) and the Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey (DİSK) in Êlih (Batman) from October 21 to October 22 with the motto, “Jina Azad Hunera Azad/ Free Women, Free Art”. At the festival, many activities for children such as theater and musical performances and dance shows were organized. “We have been struggling to preserve our culture for years and we will keep struggling,” said a young women attending the festival.

‘Such festivals have been waited for years’

NuJINHA spoke to some young women attending the festival. “A long-awaited festival is being held in our city,” Narin Erol said, “I thank all the women, who made great efforts to organize this festival. This festival is a response to the festivals held in Batman and its districts by the appointed mayor.

‘We will preserve our art and language’

“All people of Batman know that many festivals were organized here before the appointment of the trustee. For instance, millions attended the concert of Ciwan Haco. Although this festival is a two-day festival, I think we will see its effects in the coming days. The people of Batman need such festivals to be organized. We will preserve our art and language.”

Tuba Demir also thinks that such festivals should be organized more. “Our city, even this region, needs such events. While the appointed mayor often organizes festivals in our city, we are not allowed to organize festivals. This festival makes us happy. I hope such events will be organized more. Women and young people need such events. The Kurdish culture and values are targeted by the system carrying out assimilation policies. As a woman, I can say that the system will never achieve its purpose. Our people are conscious people who have paid heavy prices not only in culture and arts but also in many fields. We will resist the assimilation policies and preserve our values.”

‘The trustee organizes only vacuous events’

“As Kurdish women, we always want to attend such festivals,” said Asmin Kaya. “Our people miss such events. We have been struggling to preserve our culture for years and we will keep struggling. As a young woman, I have attended many festivals but this festival reflects my own culture and language. The appointed trustee organizes only vacuous events.”

‘We should unite’

Samya Aratemur thinks that such festivals should be organized in the city every week. “We should preserve our culture and language against the oppressive policies. Now, no one speak Kurdish outside; people do not teach Kurdish to their children anymore. Parents are the first teachers for children. Parents should teach Kurdish to their children. We should unite and struggle against assimilation policies.”