AMED - Representatives of Kurdish literature, who met with their readers at the Amed Book Fair, stated that they are trying to prevent assimilation and said, "Kurdish publishing should be supported more strongly against assimilation." 

 

Organised for the 9th time this year in Amed (Diyarbakır), the Amed Book Fair continues to welcome visitors with stands opened by publishing houses and non-governmental organisations. The fair, which will continue until 26 October, brings together writers, publishing houses and readers from the region. 

Particularly the stands of publishing houses working on Kurdish language, literature, history and education attract great interest. Visitors have the opportunity to examine the newly published works and meet with the authors of Kurdish books. The authors participating in the fair emphasised that the protection and development of the language is one of the most important areas of struggle against assimilation. 

 

Stating that writing in Kurdish is a resistance against assimilation, writer Nezîr Ocek said: "We are trying to prevent assimilation by writing in Kurdish. The Kurdish people are now exposed not only to external assimilation, but also to auto-assimilation, and are beginning to forget themselves. So we plant the seed of our language in the soil. I write educational books for children, works on mythology and religion. The first school of a child is the mother. If the mother speaks Kurdish to her children, they will not easily forget the language, even at school. A child who grows up with the mother tongue preserves his/her identity more firmly." 

 

'LIVES WITH FOLK LITERATURE AND LANGUAGE'

 

Stating that writing in Kurdish is a sacred responsibility, writer Fadil Bedîrxanoglu said: "I see writing in Kurdish as a sacred duty against assimilation. I made a Kurdish translation of the Holy Qur'an. Most of our people read the holy book but do not know its meaning. That is why we translated it. This work is both a service against assimilation and a way to convey the message of Allah to our people in their own language. A people lives with its literature and language; these are its mirror." 

 

'WE NEED TO GROW FROM OUR OWN ROOTS'

 

Stating that young people should write and read in their own language, Ayten Xan said: "There is a Kurdish saying: Tree grows on its own roots, people grows on their own language.  We also need to flourish on our own roots. Young people should write their works in their mother tongue. The reader should also know that language so that the work gains a social meaning. Such fairs are very valuable in terms of bringing young people and writers together. I hope that this culture will continue in Amed." 

 

'YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW THEMSELVES'

 

Translator Şerko Şanzem stated that Kurdish youth should learn their history and said: "Our books are mostly about the history of Kurdistan, we have translated works such as Şerefname and Herodotus. Our aim is for young people to learn their history, protect their language and fight against assimilation. Kurds are one of the oldest peoples of this geography. We demonstrate with documents that Kurds have existed throughout history. We want young people to read, to know themselves, to be aware of their own history. For this reason, we are telling everyone that Kurdish language publishing should be supported more strongly."

 

MA / Melik Varol