President of Kurdish Institute passes away in Germany, funeral in homeland attended by many

Click to read the article in Turkish

Fevzi Özmen, President of the Kurdish Institute of Germany, author, and linguist, passed away two days ago (September 17) at AKH Hospital in Hagen, Germany, where he was receiving treatment.

According to a report from Mezopotamya News Agency, Özmen's funeral was brought to his birthplace and hometown in Erzurum today after a ceremony held in Germany. He was buried in the Tuzlataşı (Şorax) neighborhood of Çat district.

The funeral was attended by Meral Danış Beştaş, a Member of Parliament for the Green and Left Future (Green Left Party), as well as members of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), Democratic Regions Party (DBP), Green Left Party, and many citizens.

The Mesopotamian Democratic Culture and Art Movement (TEV-ÇAND) Europe issued the following message about Özmen:

"Mamoste Fevzi Özmen, despite working as a language teacher and research specialist, always saw himself as a participant in a national struggle. He was a quiet revolution against assimilation. He taught his language to hundreds of Kurdish youths. He knew that teaching culture and language was a national resistance. His death is a great loss, especially for Kurdish culture and literature. We extend our condolences to the Özmen family, the Germany Kurdish Research Institute, Kurdish PEN, KNK, YMK, and the Kurdish people."

Fevzi Özmen, who was a linguist and author, completed his primary, secondary, and high school education in Erzurum and graduated from Istanbul University's Faculty of Economics.

He served as the President of the Kurdish Institute and was involved in political activities as a member of the Kurdistan National Congress. He eventually had to go to Germany.

He was the Honorary President of the Kurdistan Teachers Union (YMK) and a PEN member. He conducted studies on the Kurdish language, taught language courses, and wrote Kurdish grammar books. He also authored a Kurdish novel titled "Siyen Şikesti."

Fevzi Özmen was born in Erzurum in 1943. (TY/PE)