A large number of writers and linguists from four parts of Kurdistan participated in the conference on “Implementing the articles of the Gırona manifesto” held in Amed (Diyarbakır) on 10-11 May under the leadership of PENa Kurd and with the support of Pen International and Amed Metropolitan Municipality. During the conference, writers discussed the development of Kurdish language and literature. 

 

Poet Kejal Ahmad, writer Mehmet Öncü and PENa Kurd member Miraz Ronî emphasised the importance of the Kurdish language conference.

 

‘WRITERS SHOULD BE UNITED’

 

Underlining the importance of language for women, Kejal Ahmad said: “It is called mother language. The language of the mother. The role and mission of the mother is very important and of great importance in language.” Ahmad emphasised that Kurds preserve their language and culture despite all the difficulties and said, "The reason why Kurds have a strong national consciousness is because they protect their language."

 

Emphasising that Kurdish writers should act in unity in the four parts of Kurdistan and in the diaspora, Kejal Ahmad said: "They should be united. Writers have only one goal: That is to protect the language. It is the writers who protect the language. Writers need to protect the language in the four parts of Kurdistan.”

 

PROBLEMS FACED BY KURDISH WRITERS

 

Writer Mehmet Öncü, who attended the conference from Wan (Van), drew attention to the difficulties faced by Kurdish writers in Turkey and said that Kurdish writers have difficulty in publishing their works and reaching readers. 

 

Stating that there is pressure on the Kurdish language, Öncü said: "If an honourable peace is achieved, the Kurdish language will be opened up more, and that civil initiatives should take more responsibility.” Öncü also emphasised the need to open Kurdish-medium schools.

 

IMPORTANCE OF THE CONFERENCE

 

Miraz Ronî, a member of PENa Kurd working in Istanbul, stated that the aim of the conference was for Kurdish writers from the four parts of Kurdistan and the diaspora to get to know each other and exchange ideas. Ronî said: "This conference gives strength and belief to people in a psychological sense, and the exchange between writers brings vitality in itself."

 

"The oppression on the Kurdish language is a historical oppression," Ronî said, pointing to the bans on the Kurdish language since the foundation of the republic. 

 

Roni added: "Now we cannot use the Kurdish language officially. We cannot write a request in Kurdish and submit it to state institutions." He stressed that the unity of writers and embracing the language is the most effective response to these pressures.

 

MA/ Rukiye Payiz Adıgüzel