A Kurdish language course has been started for children in the Russian city of Krasnodar. Kurdish families have shown a great interest in this language course opened under the lead of the Kurdish Cultural Autonomy in Krasnodar.
The Kurdish Cultural Autonomy together with a group of activists have initiated a Kurdish language course in the city of Krasnodar in Russian Federation. Not only children and teenagers but also Kurdish families are interested in the course.
Initially, the course will be given by İşxan Ankosi and Nurê Aşiri at least two days a week, in three separate classes by age.
Despite his old age, İşxan Ankosi says he has voluntarily joined the program in order to save the Kurdish children from assimilation and to help them serve their people in their own language.
Ankosi remarked that people had more interest in such activities in Russia before, adding; “Twenty years ago, when our people migrated here, we had serious concerns about the future of our language and culture.”
Speaking on the importance of mother language, Ankosi said: “Societies continue their existence with their languages. Even it might be late, we intend to do this work and promote similar activities. We hope that our people will support us in the program.”
Ankosi noted that along with the Kurdish language courses, the students will learn about the history of the Kurdish language and Kurdish culture.
Voluntary funding
Tilmanê Kaçax and Bekirê Kaçax are two Kurdish brothers who have voluntarily taken responsibility of the funding for the Kurdish course. The same family had earlier supported projects on Kurdish language and literature.
Tilmanê Kaçax spoke about his Kurdish roots and Yazidi faith, and told the following: “I feel terribly sad when I see our culture being forgotten as our children learn other languages. The Kurdish culture is ancient and the language is rich. We grew up with Kurdish dengbejs and halays (Kurdish traditional dance). We read our first poem and voiced our first beautiful saying in Kurdish.”
‘Need for support to the project’
Nûrê Aşîrî, one of the teachers in the course, said: “In order to continue our cultural and linguistic activities, we will need the support of our people. Without their support, it would be impossible to succeed in such efforts.”
