Artists against dams
Artists against dams
Filmmakers have got involved in the fight against the dam constructions which will subvert the natural life in Dersim. Tens of cinema artists, who are currently present in the city within the scope of Dersim Human Rights Film Festival, protested against dams with a torch march. Artist comment the construction of dams as “another version of what happened in 38’s”.
Gathering in front of Cinema 62 following the display of the film "Shadows and Images”, filmmakers opened a banner “We want cinema halls in Dersim, not dams” and staged a torch march to Gola Çetu with the participation of many filmmakers and directors including Dervis Zaim, Ümit Kývanc, Haluk Unal and Shiar Abdi, Mayor Edibe Sahin and Independent MP Candidate Ferhat Tunc.
Making a short speech on behalf of the group who chanted slogans against the dam construction in Dersim, Director Umit Kývanc said the followings; “Some people look at the natural riches as a source of making money. What happens here is just a natural disaster. A more effective work is needed to stop the dam constructions here.”
Speaking after Kývanc, Mayor Edibe Sahin reminded the hydroelectric power plants constructed in Alliaoni, Black sea Region, Hasankeyf and many other places of Turkey and noted that the same fate is deemed proper for Munzur and Dersim too. Sahin pointed out that the nature and culture of Dersim is intended to be destroyed through dams, adding that they will do their best to stop the constructions of dams.
Making a speech afterwards, Ferhat Tunc said the followings; “In order to stop the constructions here, we have displayed protests with the participation of 20 thousand people. Every single person living here is against the dam constructions which still continue to submerge the city and the nature. Persistently keeping the constructions going, the government is trying to make the city pay heavy prices in terms of belief as well as its nature and history; which is another version of the Dersim Genocide in 1937-38.”
Following the speeches, a 17-minute documentary called ‘Visit’ was displayed which handled the visits submerged by dams. The program ended with a short music concert.
Translation: Berna Ozgencil
Gathering in front of Cinema 62 following the display of the film "Shadows and Images”, filmmakers opened a banner “We want cinema halls in Dersim, not dams” and staged a torch march to Gola Çetu with the participation of many filmmakers and directors including Dervis Zaim, Ümit Kývanc, Haluk Unal and Shiar Abdi, Mayor Edibe Sahin and Independent MP Candidate Ferhat Tunc.
Making a short speech on behalf of the group who chanted slogans against the dam construction in Dersim, Director Umit Kývanc said the followings; “Some people look at the natural riches as a source of making money. What happens here is just a natural disaster. A more effective work is needed to stop the dam constructions here.”
Speaking after Kývanc, Mayor Edibe Sahin reminded the hydroelectric power plants constructed in Alliaoni, Black sea Region, Hasankeyf and many other places of Turkey and noted that the same fate is deemed proper for Munzur and Dersim too. Sahin pointed out that the nature and culture of Dersim is intended to be destroyed through dams, adding that they will do their best to stop the constructions of dams.
Making a speech afterwards, Ferhat Tunc said the followings; “In order to stop the constructions here, we have displayed protests with the participation of 20 thousand people. Every single person living here is against the dam constructions which still continue to submerge the city and the nature. Persistently keeping the constructions going, the government is trying to make the city pay heavy prices in terms of belief as well as its nature and history; which is another version of the Dersim Genocide in 1937-38.”
Following the speeches, a 17-minute documentary called ‘Visit’ was displayed which handled the visits submerged by dams. The program ended with a short music concert.
Translation: Berna Ozgencil
