The International Kurdish Culture Festival, one of the most widely attended and long-lasting cultural events of the Kurds living in Europe, brought together tens of thousands of people in Frankfurt this year with the theme ‘Let's break the isolation and occupation, let's liberate Leader Apo’ (Abdullah Öcalan).

Organised to promote the historical and cultural values of the Kurdish people, the festival has also become a symbol of strong resistance against the Turkish state's policies of oppression and assimilation of Kurdish culture.

Thousands of people flocked to the area from many European countries from the early hours of the morning and entered the area through security barricades.

The national costumes of the festival-goers and the YPG, YPJ, YBŞ and PKK flags and pennants they carried created great enthusiasm.

The demand for ‘Freedom for Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan’ was voiced by thousands of people in the area, accompanied by the slogans ‘Biji Serok Apo’ (Long Live Leader Öcalan), ‘Be Serok Jiyan Nabe’ (No Life Without the Leader) and ‘Jin Jiyan Azadi’ (Woman, Life, Freedom).

INTENSE INTEREST IN THE STANDS

While reactions against the Turkish state's oppression of the Kurdish people and culture, trustee policies and genocide practices aimed at destroying Kurdish culture were loudly expressed at the festival, the stands set up to introduce Kurdish culture and the miniatures exhibited attracted great attention.

Friends of the Kurdish people and European cultural institutions also participate in the event with their own colours. The miniature ‘Gundê Kurdan’ (Kurdish Villages) by the artist Amel, which draws attention to Kurdish history and architectural richness, also attracted great attention.

KURDISH MUSIC AND GOVEND

At the stands set up by the Kurdish cultural movement TEV ÇAND in the festival area, the govend (Kurdish dance) group and artists and Kurdish participants danced together. Kurdish music, dance and folk dances are being performed with great enthusiasm in the festival area.

In addition to cultural events, Kurdish writers met their readers at book exhibitions. The area, decorated with Kurdish national colours, was filled with stands opened by Kurdish Democratic Society Centres and other Kurdish institutions. A Kurdish publishing house also opened a stand in the area and presented its books to readers.

ZAROK MA TENT FOR CHILDREN

The ‘Zarok Ma’ stand/tent, which was specially created to provide convenience for those who come with their children, became the centre of attention for children. Kurdish games and activities for children are provided to ensure that children have a good time.

KOBANÊ STAND

Another stand set up in the area was decorated with photographs of Kurdish politician Selahattin Demirtaş and other prisoners taken hostage by the Turkish state under the name of the Kobanê Case. The stand attracted great interest and the Kurdish participants showed their solidarity with their politicians.

The Kurdish Culture Festival programme started with the national anthem ‘Ey Raqîp’ and a moment of silence.

Then KCDK-E Zübeyde Zümrüt and Engin Sever took the stage to greet the audience.

In her speech, Zübeyde Zümrüt drew attention to the global campaign for the freedom of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan and said, “On 10 October 2023, the anniversary of the international conspiracy against Leader Apo, the Freedom Campaign was launched. The Kurdish people have been in constant action for this campaign since. They have shouldered this struggle in Europe, in the country and in every area where they live. Today, the Kurdish people are resisting in all areas against the politics of genocide, and with this resistance and struggle, the freedom campaign for Leader Apo will succeed.”

Zübeyde Zümrüt called for participation in the rally and march to be held in Cologne on 16 November for the second phase of the ‘Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, a Political Solution to the Kurdish Question’ campaign.

Engin Sever stated that the conspiracy process initiated against Abdullah Öcalan 26 years ago continues with isolation and genocide today and said, “No news has been received from Leader Apo for 42 months. Every day, the Kurdish people cry out for his freedom on the streets. The occupying Turkish state wants to succeed in genocide in the Medya Defence Zones (guerrilla-held areas in northern Iraq) with the help of the KDP betrayal and ISIS. However, the children of this people are resisting in Zap, Avaşin and Metina. The occupiers will not succeed. There is a struggle all over Europe and the country for the freedom of Leader Apo. With this struggle, we will break down the Imrali gates and make Leader Apo free.”

On behalf of the Kurdish women’s movement in Europe (TJK E), Ayten Kaplan addressed the audience with a speech in German.

The festival continues with a music concert by the RASTAK band.