‘Kurdish Expression Festival’ to be Held in Turin

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As part of the Cultural Sconfinate (Cultural Infinity) events, the Chalak Events platform will hold the "Kurdish Expression Festival" in cooperation with Acmos, Retrò Scenayê, Comitato Salvagente and Paris Kurdish Institute in Turin, Italy between April 10 and 13.

During these four days, 34 activists as well as 16 poets, writers, academics, musicians and directors will present Kurdish culture.

The concerts, discussions, presentations and film screenings will be attended by Kawa Nemir (translator, poet), Fatma Savci (poet), Bextiyar Elî (writer), Özlem Belçim Galip (academic), Engin Sustam (sociologist), Mîrza Metîn (theater player), Bülent Gündüz (movie director), Ganî Mîrzo (musician) and Yalda Abbasî (singer).

'We are Tigris and Euphrates'

The motto of the festival is a line of poetry from Melayê Cizîrî, a classical Kurdish literary figure who lived in the 17th century:

"Feyza me şuphê Nîl e, em Dîcle û Ferat in"

"Just as the Nile which inspired us, we are Tigris and Euphrates"

'A huge step to present Kurdish culture'

We have spoken to Tofan Sünbül, one of the founders of Chalak Events platform, about the festival. Sünbül has told us that their main purpose is to present the Kurdish culture:

"Our main purpose is to present the Kurdish culture. The festival that we will hold in Italy is a huge step for that purpose.

"When we established the Chalak Events platform as five students in İstanbul, we started our journey with this vision. That is why, we published the banners and made the promotion of the events in English as well.

"It is also one of our purposes to strengthen the ties between Kurdish and Italian musicians, writers, academics, theater players and translators.

"In addition to this, we also believe that young people studying in Europe will come together and bring about a new synergy.

"Acmos Association, our partner in Italy, was also established by five voluntary students. I will also attend the festival.

"Acmos has undertaken the accommodation and entertainment of guests and artists. It has made the reservations.

"I and my friends, we are very excited about this festival. It is highly precious for us. To be honest, I cannot really express my feelings right now... Being a part of this festival is filling me with pride. I hope that we will make a contribution to the presentation of Kurdish culture to the world." (MB/EKN/SD)