The 13th edition of the traditional Sakine Cansız Festival, held in memory of Sakine Cansız, one of the founding members of the PKK who was killed in Paris, France, on January 9, 2013, has opened in Zurich, Switzerland. Organized under the leadership of the Swiss Kurdish Women’s Union (YJK-S) and supported by more than 20 women’s organizations and initiatives, this year’s festival is being held at Zurich’s Kaserneareal venue under the slogan “Now Is the Time for Women.”

 

The festival grounds are decorated with posters of Abdullah Öcalan and women revolutionaries who lost their lives in the Freedom Struggle, while chants of “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî (Woman, Life, Freedom)" frequently echo throughout the venue. As in previous years, the festival features the traditional women’s dengbêj tent, book stands, and play areas for children. Information booths established by numerous women’s organizations and initiatives also highlight the importance of Abdullah Öcalan’s women’s liberation paradigm.

 

The festival began with a moment of silence in memory of those who lost their lives in the revolutionary struggle. Representatives of women’s organizations then took the stage to welcome participants. In speeches delivered on behalf of various women’s institutions and initiatives, speakers emphasized the significance of Sakine Cansız and the Kurdish Women’s Movement for the global women’s struggle, while calling for stronger women’s solidarity in every sphere. They also stressed that the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) represent one of the major achievements of the women’s liberation struggle and called for united resistance against threats directed at the YPJ.

 

'SAKİNE CANSIZ MEANS A REVOLUTION WITHIN THE REVOLUTION'

 

Selma Sürer then delivered a speech on behalf of the Swiss Kurdish Women’s Union (YJK-S). Greeting the participants, she said: “This festival belongs to women and to all people who understand that the women’s struggle is a struggle for the liberation of humanity and society as a whole. The name Sakine Cansız means ‘a revolution within the revolution.’ She always said that the Kurdish revolution was also a women’s revolution. She regarded the liberation of women as the liberation of the entire people. She fought for this, lived for this, and was killed because of it. Sakine Cansız is a woman who has secured her place in history and continues to illuminate our path. Through her life, her struggle, and her existence, she remains with us today. She is part of the fabric of our purple flag and an inseparable part of our struggle and the road we walk. This year, as we approach the anniversary of Zeynep Kınacı’s historic self-sacrificing action, it is especially important for all of us to declare once again that we are all YPJ. Today, even years after the realization of the Rojava Revolution, patriarchal structures continue trying to impose their oppressive will by denying women’s strength, struggle, and consciousness. That is precisely why saying ‘We are all YPJ’ is more important today than ever before.”

 

'NOW IS THE TIME FOR WOMEN'

 

Recalling the “Now Is the Time for Women” campaign launched by the Kurdish Women’s Movement, Selma Sürer continued: “The time of women also means embracing the legacy of Sakine Cansız. Her unwavering determination became a milestone for our shared path and our common future in this world. She passed on to us the torch of the fire of free life. It is a fire that burns against patriarchy, domination, exploitation, occupation, destruction, and enslavement. In the name of Sakine Cansız - Comrade Sara- we bow with great respect before all the women who made this path and these days possible. This festival, bearing Sakine’s name, belongs to all the women who lost their lives along this path. We promise you thousands of times over: we will keep your memory alive and carry it forward to future generations. This is the festival of the peoples; it is the coming together of peoples. But it is also your festival—the festival of those who have carried this banner from here to Kurdistan, from Latin America to Japan through India, and to the North. Now is the time to defend ourselves. Now is the time for women to organize. Now is the time for genuine equality. Now is the time to be ourselves. It is not only the time to possess knowledge but to put women’s knowledge and women’s consciousness into practice. Now is the time for women. This is our time—our struggle, our path, and our determination to build a world where we can all live together.”

 

The festival will continue with various events throughout the day. Performances will feature artists Ayfer Düzdaş, Nûbun, Naze Azizi, Eylül Nazlıler, Berfin Demir, Nûarîn, Koma Stranan a Jinan (Hunera Mizgîn Swîsre), the Swiss Folklore Group, a local dance group, Koma Erbane, as well as performances in the Dengbêj Tent and the Children’s Stage.