The “Workshop on Strategies and Policies for the Kurdish Language Struggle,” organized by the Platform of Democratic Institutions (DEKUP) and affiliated language institutions, began in Van province on Wednesday.
The workshop, held at the Çırağan Wedding Hall in the central İpekyolu district, will last two days.
Dilbahar: The purpose is to establish permanent strategies and mechanisms
Heval Dilbahar, a member of the Workshop Preparatory Committee, gave the opening speech and stated that the event was dedicated to Abdullah Öcalan and the martyrs of the Kurdistan Freedom Movement.
Dilbahar recalled Öcalan’s words, “Language is as important as water and bread for a nation,” and emphasized that the mother tongue is fundamental for social progress.
Heval Dilbahar emphasized the importance of official status for the Kurdish language, stating: “We know that as long as the Kurdish language is not recognized and Kurdish is not taught as a mother tongue, there will be neither peace nor tranquility. That is why the Kurdish language is our red line.”
Remarking that the purpose of the workshop is to establish permanent strategies and mechanisms for the Kurdish language, Dilbahar said, “We are currently in a position where we are subjected to criticism over the Kurdish language. If there are assimilation policies in every area of life today, we also have a part in this. This workshop is taking place precisely for this purpose. This work will reveal the strategy and work related to the Kurdish language.”
The first session hosted presentations on “The Kurdish language and the strategy of the Kurdish language struggle in the paradigm of the Freedom Movement and Democratic Nation,” and the second session on “Local administrations and the line of administration based on self-governance in the Kurdish language struggle.” Both sessions addressed topics such as local administrations’ approach to the Kurdish language, state-sponsored assimilation policies, and the alienation of the people from the Kurdish language in their daily lives.
Colemergî: If you do not value your language, you will disappear
Speaking at the first session, author İhsan Colemergî said: “The fight for dominance and subjugation over peoples begins with culture and language. If you don’t write, you will disappear, and your people will disappear with you. As the Sumerians’ lands were invaded 400,000 years ago, their language and culture were particularly targeted. Today, many people in Van say they are ‘patriotic,’ but they do not speak Kurdish at home. This is our first demand: regard your own language as sacred. If you do not value your language and do not write in your language, you will disappear. The dominant powers in the region have claimed their languages. You, too, must move forward by claiming your national values. We must say to our enemies, ‘Our language is sacred.’ Let us remember the words of Ehmedê Xanî. When asked why he wrote Mem û Zîn in Kurdish, he said, ‘If the Kurdish people do not write in their own language, they cannot establish a place for themselves among the peoples of the world with their language.’ For this reason, we must defend our language.”
Zeydan: Kurdish people will continue to protect their language and culture
Abdullah Zeydan, Co-Mayor of Van Metropolitan Municipality, who was removed from office and replaced by a trustee, said that the Kurdish people have paid a price throughout history to protect their language and culture. He continued, “As long as the Kurdish people exist, they will continue to protect their language and culture. We have many problems, but this meeting is very valuable. Every effort needs a strategy and struggle. We believe that this effort for the language is very valuable. The assessments to emerge from here can pave the way for planning the future of Kurdish. We have shortcomings. Different segments need to make self-criticism. But from today onwards, efforts for the language must be carried out more strongly. Local administrations and self-governing structures must take on more responsibility in this regard. With this determination and struggle, important steps can be taken for the future of the Kurdish language. The process initiated by Mr. Abdullah Öcalan, in particular, plays a very important role in this struggle. We must build a democratic, ethical, and political society. The foundation for this lies in prioritizing language studies. We must move forward by joining hands and using our collective wisdom. We expect success from this work.”
Turhallı: We draw strength from our language
Speaking during the second session, Cemile Turhallı, Co-Spokesperson of the DEM Party Language, Culture, and Arts Commission, said, “The state and those in power want us to be ashamed of our language through their policies. Why should we? We draw strength from our language. Language is the heritage of a people. While the state’s attacks continue on one hand, a great resistance is emerging against it on the other. We will continue to keep our language alive and live it through our policies and strategies.”
