BÊDLİS – Writer Faik Tac, who participated in the festival in Tetwan, said: “Öcalan’s call has opened the door to a new era for art as well. Let’s hold firmly to the process. If the bans are lifted, society will breathe.”

 

The festival organized by the Tetwan (Tatvan) Municipality of Bedlîs (Bitlis), under the slogan "We Weave the Path to Peace with Art," and led by the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party administration, is ongoing. 

 

Alongside events focused on women and children, concerts, panels, and book signing sessions are being held. Faik Tac, who was released after 30 years of imprisonment, also took part in the promotion of his book Gulêsiyabend at the festival.

 

Pointing out the strong interest in the festival, Tac said, “No matter how many obstacles there are, Kurds embrace their art and culture. This gives hope to people. Kurds have faced denial and assimilation policies for 100 years. These bans manifest themselves in language, culture, and art. But the Kurdish people have never accepted these bans and have always fought against these policies. As a people, we have always paid a price and once again demonstrated that we do not accept these policies. From now on, we will never bow down.”

 

Tac added: “I spent many years in prison and did some work during that time. Despite all the bans, our first work was published. I have always considered writing in Kurdish as a way to protect our identity. I see Kurdish as xwebûn (being oneself). I view writing in Kurdish as saving something from the fire. The language, culture, tales, songs, and rights of Kurds are eroding day by day. We hold onto what is melting away and pull it from the fire to unite it with society.”

 

CALL TO ‘OWN THE PROCESS’

 

Referring to the “Call for Peace and Democratic Society” made by Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan on February 27, Tac said the call has opened the door to a new era for art, as in all other areas. 

 

Tac concluded: “Everything is moving toward democratization in this process. All peoples have hope in this call and embrace it. With this call, all peoples will be able to live freely and under better conditions. As Kurds, we will be able to discuss our rights politically. This is important both for us Kurds and all peoples. We believe in and support the process. Turkey will democratize with this call. All bans imposed on Kurds will be removed one by one. If the bans and obstacles to art are lifted, society will breathe. Kurdish should be granted official status and taught in schools as a subject. Identity and art are connected. We need to hold firmly to this process and take ownership of it.”