As part of the anti-war days, the Nienburg equal opportunities officer and the Kulturwerk invited guests to the opening of the exhibition “Jin Jiyan Azadî – the achievements of the women’s revolution.” Over 60 visitors accepted the invitation and came to the Kulturwerk on Wednesday afternoon to learn about the grassroots organizing that women in northern and eastern Syria have established in all areas of life.
The exhibition was jointly developed by the Kurdish women’s movement Kongra Star, the European Committee of the Free Women’s Foundation of Syria (WJAS), and the Women Defend Rojava campaign. With its powerful images and texts, it offers a glimpse into the various areas of life in which the women of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES) have established their self-governing structures—for a free life, a free society, and peaceful coexistence.
“A sign of hope in times of war”
Equal opportunities officer Editha Schwohl-Masberg gave the opening speech, describing the exhibition as a sign of hope in times of war. In this spirit, the presentation is also taking place as part of the anti-war days in Nienburg, in which the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB), church communities, and the Peace Cooperative, among others, are participating.
Activist and freelance journalist Nele Möhlmann then explained the current dangers facing the DAANES and pointed out the need to support the region as an important partner in the negotiations for a democratic and decentralized Syria. Möhlmann herself spent around a year in the region and was therefore able to give a first-hand account.
Musical accompaniment
The vernissage was accompanied by a four-piece Kurdish music group, which performed pieces in Arabic and Kurdish and contributed songs that seemed familiar to many of the Kurdish guests. Songs were sung about hope and peace, but also about the reality of war and displacement from one’s own homeland.
The musical performance was followed by a buffet with traditional Kurdish food. Many conversations ensued, including about the need to raise public awareness of the reality of the situation in northern and eastern Syria and the Kurdish exile community in Germany in the future.
The exhibition can be visited at the Kulturwerk in Nienburg until November 30, 2025.
Photo © Möhlmann