“Break isolation and occupation”
On September 21st, the 32nd International Kurdish Cultural Festival will take place in the Rebstockpark in Frankfurt am Main. This year’s motto is “Break isolation and occupation – freedom for Abdullah Öcalan”. As in the previous year, the event is organized by the Democratic Federation of Kurdistan Societies (KAWA). The co-chairs of KAWA, Mehmet Çoban and Kerime Barçın, have invited people to take part in the annual major event of the Kurdish community in Europe.
KAWA is one of the Kurdish regional associations that have joined together in the nationwide KON-MED confederation. “We are expecting not only Kurdish participants but also our friends in Frankfurt’s Rebstockpark on September 21st. Children, old people, women, young people, everyone is invited to the 32nd International Kurdish Cultural Festival,” said Mehmet Çoban. “The AKP/MHP government in Turkey is conducting a campaign of annihilation against the Kurdish people in order to maintain its own power. As Kurds living in Europe, we can prevent this and give a voice to the fight for freedom and our existence.”
KAWA chairwoman Kerime Barçın called on women, children and young people in particular to take part in the festival and said: “The fascist Turkish state is occupying Kurdistan and is attacking our culture, our language, our dances and our media by all means.” The cultural festival is intended to send a signal against oppression and betrayal, and participation means standing up for one’s own identity.
Rastak and other highlights in the stage program
One of the highlights of this year’s stage program is the Rastak Music Groupwhich reinterprets folk songs from various cultures in Iran. Rastak incorporates the respective language, culture and history into their songs and combines traditional instruments with modern arrangements. The band, founded in 1997 as an experimental music group, is internationally known and performs Kurdish, Persian and Azerbaijani songs, among others.
Other musicians announced in the program are Şehribanê Kurdî, Ömer Gundi, Erdoğan Emir, Hozan Zozan and Hozan Kawa. Percussion and folklore groups will also perform again this year and create a great atmosphere.
Joint bus journey
Buses are hired in Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and Austria to travel to the festival. The respective departure locations and the timetable are announced in advance each year in a comprehensive overview.
