The 77th birthday celebrations of Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan will once again be held in a festive atmosphere in Xelfeti (Halfeti, Urfa) and Amara, 12 years on. Organised under the leadership of the Platform of Democratic Institutions, with the slogan “Towards Democratic National Unity with free Leader”, preparations are underway for the Amara Festival, which will feature events across many fields including culture, art, literature, sport and ecology. 

 

THE DAY OF REBIRTH

 

Speaking about the preparations for the Amara Festival, Yasar Kirmizi, a member of the Organising Committee who was released after 32 years in captivity, stated that 4 April is not merely the birthday of a single individual. Kirmizi said: “The Leader’s birthday is the day of the Kurdish people’s awakening. It became a spark for the Kurdish people, who were heading towards extinction. The Leader, born on that day, through the struggle he waged and the paradigm he created, became the rebirth of the Kurdish people. That is why, when we look at 4 April today, we see it as the day of rebirth and enlightenment.” 

 

THE PATH TO A SOLUTION FOR THE MIDDLE EAST 

 

Emphasising that 4 April is not only significant for the Kurdish people but also for all peoples living in the Middle East, Kirmizi said: “When we look at the situation today, major wars are raging in the Middle East. These wars bring with them massacres, death and bloodshed. The reason for this lies in the nation-states constructed by hegemonic powers in the Middle East. Nation-states bring with them blood, tears and division. For 100 years, concepts such as peace, democracy, sharing and freedom have been absent in the Middle East. This is because hegemonic powers have established their own systems here. The leadership’s paradigm has thus become a new light for the Middle East. Above all, it brought the ideology of women’s liberation. Women, who had been disregarded, found new life. At the same time, it offered a solution for the Middle East through the understanding of democratic confederalism, in opposition to the chaotic models brought by capitalist modernity. The project for a shared free life offered the path to liberation for the Middle East. For this reason, 4 April is a very significant day for the peoples of the Middle East.”

 

CELEBRATIONS ON 4 APRIL IN PRISONS 

 

“Because of the historical significance of 4 April, the Kurdish people celebrate this day in a festive spirit. Even whilst we were in prison, we never missed out on this excitement and the celebrations. When 4 April came around, we all felt a special sense of excitement and joy. We would welcome that day as if it were a festival. Everyone took special care with their attire. We would prepare sketches and organise morale-boosting evenings for that day. We would draft and read out statements together in prison regarding the significance and importance of the day. We would dance the halay,” said Kirmizi and added: “Even during the solitary confinement measures later introduced in the prison, everyone would celebrate 4 April, even if they were alone in their cells. When I was in solitary confinement, I would mark 4 April by writing down my reflections and thoughts. Because for us, 4 April transcended a mere birthday to become the liberation of a people.”

 

‘WE ARE CALLING ON OUR ENTIRE PEOPLE TO JOIN THE FESTIVAL’

 

Drawing attention to the Peace and Democratic Society Process initiated by Abdullah Öcalan, Kirmizi concluded: “This year, we will celebrate his birthday on the threshold of a new process. We are preparing these celebrations in a way that will contribute to the process. We have made extensive preparations. We are organising a mass festival with great enthusiasm and excitement, without allowing any excesses. We have taken every precaution. We have finalised all our preparations, from accommodation to food and drink. Starting on 1 April in Curnê Reş (Hilvan), we will hold a four-day festival. We will have dozens of programmes across every district of our city. We will spend the time in a festive atmosphere. We call on all our people to join this festival.”

 

The festival programme is as follows:

 

1 APRIL

 

Cûrnê Reş

 

* The celebrations will kick off under the slogan “From Hilvan to Amara: Towards freedom with the Newroz fire”. The event, to be held at Hilvan Friday Market, will be attended by Keskin Bayındır, Co-Chair of the Democratic Regions Party (DBP). (10.00–17.00)

 

* Planting of 2,500 saplings

 

Pirsûs (Suruç)

 

* Concert at Pîrsûs Town Square at 17.00

 

Wêranşar (Viranşehir)

 

* A comprehensive celebration will be held in front of the DEM Party district office, featuring a Dengbêj performance, a music group, drum and flute music, and the cutting of a birthday cake. (14:00)

 

Sêwerek (Siverek)

 

* Tree planting and a “birth” march in Kerteş village

 

* A march from Kanlıkuyu Park to the Ziman Kurde Language and Culture Association, followed by a film screening and a Dengbêj concert. (19:00)

 

Haliliye 

 

* Meeting with Dengbêjs 

 

2 APRIL

 

Hewag (Bozova)

 

* Walk from the DEM Party district office to the town square, followed by a concert featuring artist Aylin Demirkaya. (12:00)

 

* Tree planting

 

Serêkanî (Ceylanpınar)

 

* Walk from Borsa School to the DEM Party Serêkanî district office, followed by a musical celebration in front of the district office. (19.00)

 

Karaköprü

 

* Film screening at the Karaköprü Municipal Wedding Hall. (19.00)

 

3 APRIL

 

Xelfetî (Halfeti) 4 April Park

 

* Gerokma Children’s Workshop (10.00–20.00)

 

* Art exhibition (10.00–20.00)

 

* Women’s discussion (13.30–16.00)

 

* Football tournament final (14.30–16.00)

 

* Women’s volleyball final (16.30–18.30)

 

* Concert featuring surprise artists (20:00)

 

4 APRIL

 

* The “Great Amara March” will begin at 4 April Park in Xelfetî, heading towards Amara village, the home of Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan. The march will be joined by Veysi Aktaş and Çetin Arkaş, who are currently detained with Abdullah Öcalan at Imrali Prison, as well as the Co-Chairs of the Democratic Regions Party (DBP), Çiğdem Kılıçgün Uçar and Keskin Bayındır, as well as the Co-Chairs of the Federation of Associations for Mutual Aid and Solidarity with the Families of Detainees and Convicts.

 

MA / Omer Akin