NEWS CENTRE – At the 13th Sakine Cansız Festival held in Zurich, messages of peace, democratic society and women-led solidarity were delivered.

 

The 13th Sakine Cansız Festival, traditionally held in memory of Sakine Cansız, who was murdered in the French capital Paris, was held with great enthusiasm in the Swiss city of Zurich. At the festival, organized under the leadership of the Swiss Kurdish Women's Union (YJK-S) with the contribution of more than 20 women's organizations and initiatives, this year emphasis was placed on the global impact of the Kurdish women's freedom struggle and the importance of the legacy Sakine Cansız has left to women around the world. The festival grounds were adorned with posters of fallen women revolutionaries and Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan. Throughout the day the slogan "Jin, jiyan, azadî (Woman, life,freedom)" was frequently raised, while banners reading "Jin, jiyan, azadî" and "We are all YPJ" were displayed on the stage.

 

At the festival held under the slogan "Now is The Time for Women," a traditional women's dengbêj tent and book stands were set up as in every year. At the festival, where play areas were also created for children, numerous organizations and initiatives waging women's struggles opened information stands. At these stands, attention was drawn to the importance of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan's women's liberationist paradigm.

 

The festival began with speeches by the women's institutions and initiatives involved in its organization. Women who danced the halay throughout the day to melodies performed by artists taking to the stage expressed their reaction against femicide through their chants, while calling for the women's struggle to be further expanded.

 

Pero Dündar, speaking at the festival on behalf of TJK-E, touched on the importance of the Peace and Democratic Society process being conducted under Abdullah Öcalan's leadership. Stating that Abdullah Öcalan insists on peace under heavy conditions, Pero Dündar criticized Turkey's failure to take concrete steps to date. Stating that Abdullah Öcalan's physical freedom is of decisive importance for the building of a permanent and honorable peace, Pero Dündar said that the necessary legal and political steps need to be taken for the process to advance. Also addressing criticisms of the Peace and Democratic Society process, Pero Dündar stated that the efforts being made are not any form of concession but a democratic will to build the common future of the peoples. Emphasizing that the success of the process will only be possible through society's active ownership and organized struggle, Pero Dündar called on women to further strengthen their pioneering role in this period.

 

Also underlining that as the Kurdish people an important process is being experienced as a result of developments in the Middle East, Pero Dündar emphasized that achieving national unity in this process is of vital importance.

 

'SAKINE'S STRUGGLE INSPIRES'

 

Touching in her speech on the legacy Sakine Cansız left to the women's freedom struggle, Pero Dündar said that Sakine Cansız's life and resistance is a powerful source of inspiration not only for Kurdish women but for women waging freedom struggles in every corner of the world. Emphasizing that women's organized struggle is the fundamental force of building a democratic society, Pero Dündar conveyed the message that "the way to keep Sakine Cansız's legacy alive passes through expanding the women's freedom struggle and strengthening women's leadership in every field." Stating that women will continue to be the most powerful subjects of peace, democracy and social transformation, she called for the struggle to be made common.

 

'KURDISH WOMEN ARE GROWING HOPE'

 

Swiss Socialist Party Federal Parliament Member Priska Seiller Graf, speaking at the festival, said that Kurdish women's resistance and organized struggle constitutes an important example for the world women's movement. Stating that the festival is not only a celebration but also "a gathering that makes visible resistance, solidarity and the will to build a more just future together," she said: "Kurdish women did not only resist oppression; they also organized hope and social reconstruction."

 

Recalling UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, Priska Seiller Graf drew attention to the equal representation of women in peace processes and decision-making mechanisms. Stating that the Rojava experience is one of the important examples of women-led democratic organizing, Priska Seiller Graf said: "Kurdish women are struggling not only for their own rights, but for freedom, equality, the right to self-determination and human dignity."

 

Emphasizing that those living in Switzerland also bear a responsibility of solidarity with this struggle, Priska Seiller Graf stated that wherever women organize and take a leading role, peace and democratic society are strengthened, and called for the Kurdish women's struggle to be expanded through international solidarity.

 

Following the speeches, the festival continued until late in the evening with halays danced to melodies performed throughout the day by artists Ayfer Düzdaş, Nûbûn, Nazê Ezîzî, Eylül Nazlıer, Berfin Demir, Nûarîn and Koma Stranan a Jinan (Hunera Mizgîn Swîsre).