The 34th International Kurdish Cultural Festival will take place on September 5 in Dortmund under the slogan “Building a Democratic Society with a Free Leader.” This year, the festival will focus on a new concept aimed at making the Kurdish language, identity, and culture more visible. Instead of a program primarily centered on concert performances, the festival is intended to become a diverse platform for Kurdish cultural life.
Engin Sever, Co-Chair of the Kurdish umbrella organization in Europe (KCDK-E), stated that preparations have already been underway for six months. Around 80 representatives from federations in Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and northern France, as well as from women’s and youth organizations, the cultural movement, and the fields of media and diplomacy, are involved in organizing the festival.
Festival as an expression of cultural resistance
The Kurdish Cultural Festival has been held since 1992 and is regarded as a response to the decades-long repression and assimilation policies directed against Kurdish society. “For 34 years, we have organized this festival without interruption. This time, we are not only creating a stage for concerts, but also diverse spaces that reflect the Kurdish language, identity, and culture,” Sever said. He emphasized that the third and fourth generations of the Kurdish diaspora who have grown up in Europe must be reconnected more strongly with their language and culture. According to him, the festival is one of the most important places for achieving this.
Cultural weeks planned in several countries
According to Sever, the idea of the Kurdish Cultural Weeks, which was already discussed in the 1990s, is to be revived. In the lead-up to the festival, events are planned in Germany, France, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Austria, and Canada. The series will conclude with the Cultural Festival on September 5 in Dortmund. In the long term, the festival is not intended to be limited to a single day. “One day is not enough. In the future, we want to organize events over several weeks and in different locations. In this way, we can not only preserve our culture but also bring it closer to a broader audience,” Sever said.
Local events against assimilation
According to Sever, the festival is far more than a major cultural event. It makes the existence of the Kurdish people and their culture in European exile visible while also creating opportunities for interaction with other societies. “We can only strengthen the common struggle against assimilation by bringing cultures together. That is why we see the festival as an event of cultural and social self-assertion,” Sever said.
Kurdish Market to be introduced for the first time
For the first time this year, a Kurdish Market will be established. In numerous tents, writers, artists, and artisans will present their work. Traditional Kurdish clothing from Kurdistan will also be showcased. The children’s area is being redesigned as well. Rather than serving only as a play area, it is intended to provide children with a space to learn about their language and culture. In addition, discussions are underway with organizations representing various peoples and communities from the Middle East to encourage their participation in the festival.
Artists from all parts of Kurdistan
Musicians from all four parts of Kurdistan will perform on stage. The program includes Chopy, Mikail Aslan, Cemîl Qoçgîrî, Koma Zerdeştê Kal, Sîpan Xelat, Awaza Botan, Zarok Ma, as well as several folklore groups. In addition to its cultural program, the festival will also convey political messages regarding the current situation in Kurdistan and Kurdish society.
Improvements in organization and infrastructure
Call for participation in traditional clothing
Engin Sever called on Kurds from Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and France to participate in large numbers and, if possible, to come to Dortmund wearing traditional Kurdish clothing.
“The third and fourth generations are now growing up in the diaspora. Keeping our culture alive is the responsibility of all of us. Parents, in particular, should bring their children to the festival and give them the opportunity to learn about their language and culture.”
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