FRANCE
France’s first Hüseyin Çelebi Poetry and Literature Event took place at 16:30 in Est Montreuil Hall in Paris. The event started with a moment of silence and a short speech in rememberence of the martyrs.
The first speech was made by Zade Şengal on behalf of Kurdish Students Union. Şengal stated that this would be the first Hüseyin Çelebi festival held in Paris and said, “We are honored. We have been doing this work for months and we thank everyone who contributed.”
Fevziye Erdemirci, a co-spokesmen of the French Kurdish Community Assembly also made a speech at the event. Erdemirci started by saluting the martyrs of Rojava; “Resistance has been going on for 17 days. And we say that this resistance of the Kurds will succeed. We believe that the Kurds will have a status. I greet everyone with this belief. Long live the Rojava Resistance!”
Hüseyin Çelebi’s father Rıfat Çelebi also participated in the event and gave a long speech, explaining Hüseyin Çelebi’s struggle and expressed his satisfaction about the event. He started his speech by greeting Çelebi Kurdistan, Rojava, Guerrilla and Peoples’ Leader Abdullah Öcalan.
“Today, I am happy to see you and the young people involved at the 27th festival. I always come to the Hüseyin Çelebi event. Hüseyin is not the only one for me, you are all for me. I salute you and the fighting youth. I made a promise: There is no death for me until Kurdistan is established.” The father gave a detailed explanation about th life and character of Hüseyin Çelebi and added that “his mother is a Turk. But she always stood by Hüseyin. She never left her son.
When Hüseyin was 7, we went to a march. It was during the Ecevit period. We had a demonstration in front of the Hamburg Church. We were caught there and spent two years in German prison. When he was young, Hüseyin said, “Father, I am going to join the youth organisation.” I did not get angry. Because I was his father, but I was also his friend.
If all you are here, if Kurdistan is here; then I am, we are here. If we don’t have unity, we’ll disappear,”the father added. Çelebi also stated that he has not read Turkish newspapers since 1992 and has not watched Turkish channels or visited their restaurants and grocery stores.
Oremar, who wanted to draw attention to the achievements in Rojava, said, “They’ve set eyes on our achievements in Rojava. You see this, but they will not be able to take our gains. I would like to thank everyone, especially Rıfat Çelebi, for raising such a son.”
PYD Co-Chair Şahoz Hesen was invited to the stage after the concert of Koma Zaz Louz. Hesen also gave a long speach about the latest developments in Rojava. Hesen said, “First of all, I respect all martyrs of freedom. We continue World War 3 in Rojava. They want to make their plans through us. This great resistance is known all over the world. Great advantages were born for us. Especially in the person of Rojava, I must say that; We are fighting for a democratic life in Syria. We take this philosophy from Leader Apo. We pioneered a great system in Rojava and those who oppose this, attack us with all their powers. Especially the Turkish state is attacking with a shallow thought. And they are targeting the freedom of our people. We fought a war and established a system. We will bring more of this, let’s remember; When Kurdistan broke up in history, no one made a sound. But not anymore, we gave an exemplary struggle to the whole world in Rojava. We succeeded against ISIS and all gangs. The Turkish state is up, threatening other states. We have eliminated these threats and continue to do so.
Referring to Kurdish history, Hesen said, Demir Demirci Kawa is an example for us in Kurdish history. We, like Kawa in Rojava, set the fire of freedom. Our people and warriors have proved it. This issue is not only a matter of today, this is a matter that the whole world follows. We have all kinds of dialogue for solution. No Arab country has accepted this invasion attempt. Europe did not accept either. We say; Either we will succeed, or we will succeed, or we will succeed.” This trilogy of Hesen was greeted with great applause in the hall.
Hesen also referred to Maxim Gorky’s novel, Ana.“Maxim Gorky wrote a novel about a mother. But a novel can be written on each of the mothers in Rojava. The stories of the mothers who sent their sons and daughters to war are admirable. We have to see this struggle.” Hesen finished his speech with bold words of struggle, saluting the hall again.
After the music performance presented by Diyar Mehrovi, the award ceremony was held. Yelda Abbasi and Hivron took the stage respectively and the young people drew enthusiastic dances with slogans.
Hüseyin Çelebi Awards
Turkish Poetry
1. ’38 Colored Expedition – Burhan Güneş
2. ‘Firefly’ – Ozan Alpkaya from Izmir F Type Prison No. 2
3. Dem Hat Farasine – Senar from Van High Security Closed Prison
Kurdish Poetry
1. Misxalek Heyv – Nedime Yaklav
2. Sıbe Dısınım – Şakir Dalkılıç
3. Ser u Sepalen We – H. Mehmet
Zazaki Poetry (Incentive Award)
Oy – Eyüp Aygen
Turkish Stories
1. A Heavy Night – Zeyni Arat
2. Qiza Filla – İlhami Çınar
3. Izırıp – Nuri Özen
Kurdish Stories
1. Bi Xatire We – Ramazan Kıran (Bolu Prison)
2. Pira Zere – Isa Kaya (Bünyan-Kayseri Prison)
3. Turike Piraeus – Mesut Yurtsever
