A Kurdish Cultural Festival was held in Sweden on 1 September World Peace Day. The festival, hosted by the Swedish Democratic Kurdish Community Centre, Amara Women's Assembly and Teşi Kurdish Cultural Centre, started with a moment of silence for all the martyrs of Kurdistan, including Gulistan Tara, Hêro Bahadin, Rosîda Mêrdîn and Orhan Bingöl.

Co-chairs of the Swedish Democratic Kurdish Centre (NCDK), Menice Yiğit Yıldırım and Mehmet Kaya, drew attention to the attacks of the occupying Turkish state against Kurdish language and culture and saluted the guerrilla resistance. The speakers called for unity around the ‘Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, a Political Solution to the Kurdish Question’ campaign launched in October 2023.

The KNK (Kurdistan National Congress) Co-Chair Zeyneb Murad said: “The territory of Kurdistan is under attack from a great military force. Our enemy sees the chaos in the Middle East and the world as an opportunity to destroy all the gains of the Kurdish people. Against this, firstly political parties, then our people and all the institutions we live with have a duty and responsibility.”

Murad continued: “The occupying states, be it Turkey, Iran, Syria or even Iraq, cannot digest the Kurdish people reaching this stage and becoming successful and having status. Although there are political, religious, etc. conflicts between them, Iran and Syria can make an agreement with the Turkish state when it comes to the Kurdish people. These states are in alliance to destroy the Kurdish people. Therefore, this stage is the fateful stage for our people. Our demand from political parties, non-governmental organisations and our people is that they take a stand by recognising these realities. We say that we do not accept the occupation of Kurdistan's lands and the killing of our children.”

A message sent by the Kurdish Women's Movement in Europe (TJK-E) called for active participation in the mobilisations to be held on the second anniversary of the ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadî’ (Woman, Life, Freedom) revolution. “The Kurdish people are shouting to the whole world that they stand by their Leader and that a free life without the Leader will not exist,’ the message said.

In its messages to the festival, the Swedish Left Party and the Assyrian-Syriac party Bet-Nahrin drew attention to the importance of common struggle.

The festival witnessed enthusiastic moments with the stage performances of Koma Yarsan, Koma Çarnewa, Ayfer Düzdaş, Şerif Omeri, Helim Omeri, Nahid Hewrami and Rizgar Hewrami. Kurdish people participated in the festival in their national costumes, accompanied by traditional dances and slogans.

The Kurdish Institute, Jineoloji and PENA Kurd also promoted their books and opened stands at the festival.

The Zarok Ma team was invited to create a space for children and teach them about Kurdish culture and Kurdish songs. Zarok Ma held a workshop on 31 August in Gamla Stan, Stockholm city centre.

The festival lasted until late hours and ended with the slogans ‘Bijî Serok Apo’ (Long Live Leader Öcalan) and ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadî’.