Following the local elections, the traces of trustees who tried to impose assimilation policies in the region are being erased one by one. Municipalities run by the DEM Party, particularly active in the fields of culture, art, and women’s initiatives, aim to expand cultural and artistic work in the mother tongue across all areas. During the past nine years, apart from alternative spaces, no cultural programs in the mother tongue could be carried out in the city. The Aram Tigran Conservatory, which had trained many young artists before, is now reactivating. The conservatory, which offered numerous courses in the mother tongue, was closed in 2016 by the first appointed trustee. Now, after nine years, it is back in action and has begun registrations for courses in children’s music, theater, literature, painting, and cinema. Classes will commence on October 27 after registration.
Teachers and students, expressing their great excitement about the reopening, called on everyone who wishes to receive cultural and artistic education in their mother tongue to enroll. Theater actor Rezan Kaya stated that the conservatory holds a special place in memory: “Our greatest goal is to show young people and children in this city that they are not without alternatives.”
The Conservatory has greatly benefited the city
Recalling that they opened alternative spaces to continue cultural and artistic work after the trustees’ appointments, Rezan Kaya said: “In the institutions we established, the young people who worked at Aram Tigran and Cegerxwîn continued their efforts. These students and teachers are still active in cultural work today. The Aram Tigran Conservatory has made significant contributions to both the city and its children and young people.”
Kaya added that many students trained at the conservatory are now teachers themselves: “All the students who studied there at the time have now become mamoste (teachers) and are raising new generations. Young people who play instruments and inspire thousands on stage are those who grew up in Aram Tigran. The reopening of a conservatory that produced so many teachers in this city has made us all very excited.”
New opportunities
Kaya explained that the idea of reopening the conservatory came up after last year’s elections, and said that they were met with overwhelming interest once applications began: “During this time, there were many young people who wanted to receive cultural and artistic education, but our resources were very limited. With the reopening of the conservatory, our opportunities will expand. Everyone who wants to receive cultural and artistic training will be able to benefit from this.
Our main goal is to show the city’s youth and children that they are not without alternatives. After registration, we will start the courses. Within a few years, I can say that this city will be filled with culture and art in the mother tongue. All young people, children, and women in the city can apply and take part in the classes. They can share their excitement and talents with us.”
Theater student Ömer Akkan expressed his joy at the reopening of the conservatory: “For about 10 years, trustees were appointed to our municipalities. During the trustee period, we couldn’t work in the fields of theater, art, or literature. We had no venues to gather or carry out work. Now, the opening of the conservatory makes us very happy; we finally have the opportunity to organize and work.”
Everyone can apply
Akkan emphasized that the conservatory would create an important space for young people and women: “The work we will carry out in the field of art will be beneficial to everyone. For this reason, the opening of Aram Tigran in Amed will be very good for all of us. I call on all young people of Amed: support and participate in the work of the Aram Tigran Conservatory. The potential of the work we carry out here could also influence the reopening of other institutions that were closed.”
We must strengthen our work
Finally, Akkan addressed young people: “It is only after reclaiming the municipalities that we can do this kind of work again. If an academy like Aram Tigran is being opened, all young people and our people should stand behind it. We must support and strengthen its work. Growing and empowering this academy will make a great contribution to Kurdish culture and language.”