The Kurdish Women's Union in Germany, YJK-E, will hold the 19th Zilan Women's Festival, one of the symbolic events of the Kurdish women's struggle, on June 21 this year in Leverkusen, Germany.

The festival, which will be held under the slogan “Defend women's gains with Jin Jiyan Azadî,” is dedicated to the women martyrs of the 52-year national struggle for freedom.

The festival will see the intensive participation of Kurdish women living in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands, in addition to numerous women's organizations, artists, and civil initiatives.

A statement issued by YJK-E emphasized that this year's festival will be held in the spirit of the process of change and transformation that began with Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan’s February 27 “Call for Peace and a Democratic Society”.

'We can bring about change and lead the way for society'

The YJK-E statement said: “This year, we are hosting the 19th Zilan Women’s Festival in an atmosphere that is far more meaningful, significant, and different compared to previous years.

Developing a revolution in mindset and making it a way of life, which is necessary for the creation of a democratic society, can only be achieved under the leadership of us women. We women are aware that we can bring about change, starting with ourselves, and lead the way for society.”

YJK-E described the festival as both an arena of resistance and a platform for embracing the struggle.

Art, struggle and women's solidarity

Artists such as Chopy, Berfin Mamedova, Baran Bozyel, Binevş Cizirî, Sosin, Nuarin, Özgür Işık, and Zine Botanî will perform at the festival. In addition, Hunera Mizgin and Zarok Ma children's group will perform alongside dengbêj women.

The event will not only feature music but also stalls reflecting women's labor, talks by women's organizations, and various artistic performances.

Call for strong participation

YJK-E called on all women, mothers, and young women living in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands to gather in Leverkusen on June 21 in colorful national costumes.

“Let’s come together in Leverkusen on June 21. Let’s stand up for the labor of Zilan and thousands of young people who sacrificed themselves for us, and for the values won in the name of freedom, and let’s defend women’s gains.”