TEV-ÇAND pledges to preserve Kurdish through songs and theatre

Reactions against the Syrian transitional government's decision on the Kurdish language continue, following a measure limiting Kurdish-language instruction in schools to just three lessons per week.

In this context, Sumaya Mohammed, co-chair of the Mesopotamian Democratic Culture and Arts Movement (TEV-ÇAND), said language and culture were inseparable, noting that this was not the first time Kurds had faced policies aimed at banning their language.

“When the enemy attacks a city, it attacks its culture first. It seeks to eradicate that culture. The latest examples were Afrin and Serekaniye,” she said.

No One Accepts the Government's Decision

Sumaya Mohammed recalled the efforts made by the Kurdish people and the people of Rojava to preserve their language and culture, reaffirming her rejection of the decision targeting the Kurdish language.

“Such decisions regarding the Kurdish language are unacceptable. Our children have been studying in their mother tongue for years, and even our mothers and fathers speak and write in their language. Everyone must now understand that many communities live here, and no one has the right to reject another community's language,” she said.

She added that the sacrifices made had been for the sake of culture and language. She also pointed to people of different ages taking to the streets to protest the transitional government's decisions, stressing that targeting the language went beyond political parties and amounted to targeting the Kurds and their language.

'We Will Preserve Our Language Through Our Songs, Theatre and Art'

Sumaya Mohammed stressed that cultural workers, women and mothers bore a responsibility to preserve the Kurdish language, emphasizing that protecting it required continued cultural and artistic efforts.

“As cultural workers, we will do everything that falls within our responsibility. Through songs, theatre and writing, we will preserve our language. For us, our language and culture are red lines,” she said.

She added that the movement had decided to dedicate all its activities to serving the language, noting that preserving it was closely tied to the people's existence and identity. She warned that a ban on the Kurdish language in Rojava could extend to other parts of Kurdistan.

Call on Kurdish Artists to Protect Their Language and Culture

Sumaya Mohammed called on Kurdish artists across Kurdistan and beyond to unite their efforts to protect the Kurdish language and culture, stressing that artists had a significant responsibility at this stage.

“Artists bear a greater responsibility when it comes to protecting the language. Opposition to this decision must not come only from Rojava. All Kurdish artists must defend their language and culture with one voice and one spirit,” she said.

Sumaya Mohammed concluded by emphasizing the close connection between art and language.

“We cannot express our art in another language. Everyone should understand that when the language disappears, everything disappears,” she said.

ANHA