The 14th Kurdish Culture and Arts Night, which brought together the Kurdish people’s cultural and political resistance with artistic production, took place in Geneva.

Organized by the Geneva Democratic Kurdish Community, the event emphasized that the Kurdish people's struggle for freedom and existence also continues in the cultural field.

The event was held at the Salle Des Fêtes Avanchet-Salève hall in Vernier, a district of the Geneva canton, with the participation of Kurds from Kurdistan and their friends.

After a minute of silence in memory of the martyrs of the Kurdistan Freedom Struggle, Sıtkı Demir gave the opening speech on behalf of the Geneva Democratic Kurdish Community Center.

Wishing everyone a happy Eid al-Adha, Demir noted that the Kurdish people are engaged not only in political but also cultural resistance. Demir said, “This struggle will not stop until Leader Apo is physically freed. Our resistance will continue, and our people will gain their freedom through organization.”

Maryam Yunus Ebener, President of the Geneva Canton branch of Switzerland’s Green Party and Mayor of the Onex district, also gave a message of support to the Kurdish people's struggle. Starting her speech by saying “Abdullah Öcalan must be free,” Ebener said, “All peoples must be able to live freely with their language, culture, and identity. The Kurdish people's struggle across the four parts of Kurdistan is a legitimate struggle for freedom.”

“Every patriot must be an active subject of this process”

Musa Farisoğulları, a member of the KCDK-E Co-Presidency Council, stated that culture and art are the identity of a people, emphasizing that the Kurdish people have created a new history and culture through their resistance.

Farisoğulları said, “The rulers write history according to their interests, but the Kurdish people are overturning this false history through their resistance. Our people have created and preserved their culture under the most difficult circumstances.”

He emphasized that Leader Apo’s paradigm plays a decisive role in the cultural revival of the people, and added: “Leader Apo’s philosophy is a moral and cultural revolution. Art must become politicized, and people must organize through art. A stateless life is no longer acceptable. Every patriot must become an active subject of this process and turn every place they are into a site of resistance.”

Ancient storytelling tradition drew great interest

At the event, Swiss Kurdish Institute Co-President Dîlber Hêma gave a presentation on the Kurds’ ancient oral storytelling tradition, Çîrokbêj. The storytelling was especially well-received by children and received strong applause from the audience.

Artists Bêrî Altay, Zafer Xozat, Hozan Şemdin, Semyan Adar, and Mazlum Avaz performed at the night.