Ali Haydar Kaytan and Rıza Altun, who created and carried into the present day the revolutionary culture of Apoist life and resistance, were remembered through various events held in several European cities.

Cologne

In Cologne, a memorial was held for PKK co-founder Ali Haydar Kaytan and Rıza Altun. The emotional ceremony became a collective moment of honoring two figures whose lives epitomize an entire generation of revolutionaries.

On Sunday, hundreds of people paid their final respects to the Kurdish revolutionaries Ali Haydar Kaytan and Rıza Altun during a moving memorial event in Cologne. The commemoration was organized by the Europe-wide Kurdish umbrella organization KCDK-E, the Kurdish Women’s Movement in Europe (TJK-E), and the Association of Families of the Fallen, KOMAW.

The ceremony took place at the Intersaal event venue and was attended by numerous guests from civil society, politics, and the media. Photos of the two deceased PKK founding members adorned the hall, alongside a memorial album and a guestbook for attendees to leave personal messages and reflections. Participants wore pins featuring portraits of Kaytan and Altun.

An emotional opening

The event began with a moment of silence, followed by powerful chants of “Şehîd namirin” (Martyrs are immortal) and “Bijî Serok Apo” (Long live Leader Apo). A religious ceremony was conducted by Pîr Hüseyin Bildik, who led Alevi prayers (Gulbang) and lit Çerağ candles in accordance with Alevi tradition.

Family members share memories

Zöhre Altun, sister of Rıza Altun, recalled the early days of the movement, which began in Ankara around Abdullah Öcalan, and how her family became part of this historic development. She shared memories of conversations with Kemal Pir and Abdullah Öcalan. Feride Kaytan, sister of Ali Haydar Kaytan, emphasized the responsibility of the surviving family members to continue the path laid out by their loved ones.

A letter from Deniz Kaytan, Ali Haydar Kaytan’s brother imprisoned in Turkey, was read aloud. In it, he painted an emotional portrait of his brother, whose roots lie in the repressed region of Dersim. “He was a dervish of our time,” he wrote.

Highlighting historical significance

In speeches by Ferda Çetin (KCK), Ahmet Karamus (KNK), Cahide Goyî (TJK-E), and others, the lives of the two fallen figures were honored as exemplary for the Kurdish freedom movement. Çetin referred to them as “two Mürşid-i Kamil,” spiritual guides who shaped an entire generation.

A symbolic legacy

Longtime companions such as Mazlum Doğan’s sister Nezaket Doğan, Hayri Durmuş’s sister Ayten, and activist Mehmet Demir emphasized the exemplary nature of Kaytan and Altun. Their struggle was consistently described as a moral and political obligation for future generations.

Culture and music as unifying elements

The memorial was rounded out with an artistic program featuring musical contributions from the cultural movement TEV-ÇAND and readings of Ali Haydar Kaytan’s poetry. The ceremony concluded with renewed calls of solidarity before Lokma bread was shared among the attendees.

Ali Haydar Kaytan and Rıza Altun were among the founding members of the PKK. For decades, both were active in various regions, whether in the mountains of Kurdistan or in exile. Their biographies symbolize a generation of revolutionaries fighting for cultural self-determination, democratic autonomy, and social justice.

The commemoration in Cologne came at a time of profound transition within the Kurdish movement. The self-dissolution of the PKK, announced about a week earlier following its 12th Congress, marks a strategic turning point. Mourning two of the party’s most prominent figures thus also became a collective moment of reflection—signaling a shift away from armed struggle toward political solutions. The event was widely seen as a symbol of a new beginning, where grief for the fallen intertwined with hope for a more just future for the Kurdish people.

Nantes

In the French city of Nantes, leading Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) cadres Ali Haydar Kaytan and Rıza Altun were commemorated. The event, held at the Nantes Democratic Kurdish Community Center (DKTM), was attended by a large number of people. The hall was decorated with photographs of Kaytan and Altun, and roses were placed on the walls.

The co-chairs emphasized the pioneering roles of Kaytan and Altun within the PKK. They stated: “Comrades Ali Haydar Kaytan and Rıza Altun, who joined the struggle alongside President Öcalan, became the spirit and devoted militants of a 52-year revolutionary struggle. They have left us with great responsibilities. The only and fundamental way to honor their legacy is to embrace the mission they entrusted to us and lead the struggle in this new phase to victory.

Mazlum Şiyar, who had shared a prison with Rıza Altun, also spoke at the event. Pointing to Altun’s humble personality, Şiyar said he displayed a determined and results-oriented stance wherever he took responsibility. He described Ali Haydar Kaytan as “the philosopher of the mountains” and “a comrade who pursued the path of truth,” as defined by Mr. Öcalan.

Emotional moments were witnessed in the hall during the speech.

Draguignan

A commemoration was held at the Fréjus Hall in Draguignan, France, in memory of Ali Haydar Kaytan and Rıza Altun, as well as all May Martyrs and the martyrs of Sırrı Süreyya Önder. The event began with a moment of silence and continued with remarks by the spokesperson of the Martyrs’ Families Commission.

The spokesperson emphasized that the greatest response to the martyrdom of the PKK leading cadres Ali Haydar Kaytan and Rıza Altun would be to protect and carry forward the legacy they left behind. The statement continued: “Comrades Rıza Altun and Ali Haydar Kaytan, who were among President Öcalan’s most esteemed companions, became the spirit and devoted militants of a 52-year revolutionary struggle. They have placed great responsibilities on all of our shoulders.”

A poem written by Ali Haydar Kaytan was read by Assembly Co-Chair Vedat Topçu.

Emotional moments were also witnessed during a video presentation focusing on Altun, Kaytan, and the May Martyrs.

Rome

A commemoration ceremony was held in Rome, the capital of Italy, by the Ararat Kurdish Cultural Association in honor of Ali Haydar Kaytan and Rıza Altun, founding cadres of the PKK. The event was attended by Italians, members of the Kurdish community, and representatives from the Nobavaglio journalists’ association.

A comrade of the fallen martyrs spoke at the ceremony and said: “Ali Haydar Kaytan and Rıza Altun, as representatives of truth, may have fallen as martyrs, but their struggle continues. Their understanding of truth will remain our guiding line.”

Innsbruck

In the Austrian city of Innsbruck, a commemoration was organized by the DKTM in memory of Ali Haydar Kaytan and Rıza Altun, two leading cadres of the PKK.

On behalf of the DKTM, Nurettin Dêrik emphasized that Altun and Kaytan best embodied true Apoist comradeship and were pioneers of unwavering dedication throughout their lives. He noted that with the PKK's decision to dissolve itself, a new phase has begun, adding: “The more we embrace and contribute to this process, the more we will strengthen the hand of President Öcalan.”

Kiel

In the German city of Kiel, a commemoration was held in honor of Ali Haydar Kaytan and Rıza Altun, leading figures of the Kurdish Freedom Movement, as well as the May Martyrs.

Following speeches and a video presentation, several attendees from the community took the floor to share their thoughts and emotions. They expressed their determination to follow in the footsteps of the martyrs as guardians of the struggle for freedom and equality. Connecting the remembrance to ongoing struggles, participants also emphasized the continuity of resistance for a free future for all peoples.

Reims

In the French city of Reims, a commemoration was held in honor of Ali Haydar Kaytan, Rıza Altun, and Seyfettin Tutmaz, symbolic figures of the PKK, as well as all May Martyrs.

The opening speech was delivered by Asuman Tutmaz, the sister of Seyfettin Tutmaz, who was martyred 34 years ago. She said: “I never knew my brother. Speaking about him without ever knowing him is one of the most painful things for my heart...”

Murat Ceylan, Co-Spokesperson of the Council of the European Kurdish Democratic Societies Congress (KCDK-E), and Celil Akdoğan, France Spokesperson of the Association of Prisoners from Kurdistan (KOMAW), also addressed the crowd.

The event continued with a video presentation following the speeches.

Berlin

In Germany’s capital, Berlin, a commemoration was held in honor of Ali Haydar Kaytan and Rıza Altun, founding members of the PKK.

The event was organized by the Dest Dan-Hêvî Women's Assembly and Nav Berlin and took place at the Berlin Democratic Kurdish Community Center.

The ceremony began with a moment of silence for all May Martyrs, including PKK founders Kaytan and Altun, as well as Rezan Amed and Çekdar Kawa. Following this, Nav Berlin Co-Chair Nursel Yıldız delivered a speech.

Nurê Alkış, who moderated the event, said: “As the Kurdish people, we have lost thousands of martyrs. It is deeply painful to speak of those who gave their lives in the struggle to live on free lands. We respectfully remember two great commanders who laid the foundations of the Kurdish freedom struggle, Rıza Altun and Ali Haydar Kaytan.”

Mele Abdurahim Tarhan, father of martyr Rezan Amed, also spoke at the event.

Muharrem Aral noted that Kaytan and Altun should be remembered not only for their military achievements, but also for their revolutionary leadership and vision.

The commemoration continued with a reading of poems written by Ali Haydar Kaytan. A video presentation followed, detailing the lives of Kaytan and Altun. The ceremony concluded with the chants: “Şehîd Namirin” (Martyrs are immortal), “Biji Serok Apo” (Long live President Öcalan), “Be Serok Jiyan Nabe” (There is no life without the President), and “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî” (Woman, Life, Freedom).