The Imrali isolation and the lack of solution to the Kurdish issue negatively affect all areas of life. These factors are reflected in the field of culture and arts as bans, censorship, detention, arrest and many other pressure practices. Ferhat Ertaş, one of Ma Music instructors, said that the isolation and the lack of solution to the Kurdish issue are reflected in the field of culture and art as "memorylessness".

 

REFLECTION OF ISOLATION ON CULTURE

 

Stating that attacks against Kurds continue in every aspect, especially culturally, politically and economically, Ertaş said: “The names of Kurdish streets are being changed. When we look at our history, our elders gave names to their children, but they were not allowed. Why? On the grounds that it is Kurdish. They did not want Kurds to live like Kurds." Pointing out that Kurds have been tried to distance themselves from their music and language through oppression for years, as well as many Kurdish works being translated into Turkish, Ertaş said: "Efforts have been carried out to distance the culture from its truth just to degenerate it."

 

'CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY'

 

Stating that all of these are a result of the Imrali isolation system, Ertaş noted that the isolation is a crime against humanity. And they want to prevent PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan's paradigm based on the coexistence of peoples, Ertaş said: “Today there are hunger strikes against the isolation. We see a very strong will. There is a huge resistance taking place in prisons. When one looks at the general framework, only vital rights are requested. As Kurds, we want to live with our color, culture, voice and language. This is what our struggle and resistance is for. Every colonialism gives rise to resistance." 

 

'THE SOLUTION TO THE ISSUE IS CLEAR'

 

Emphasizing that another reflection of the isolation is the prevention of cultural and artistic events, Ertaş said: "If we cannot sing comfortably on the streets today, or if drugs and prostitution are increasing on the streets, this is because of the isolation issue." 

Stating that there is no sincere approach to the solution of the Kurdish issue in Turkey, Ertaş said: “Everyone says they came to solve the Kurdish issue, but then they become the issue themselves. The addressee of this issue is clear, and it is clear who will solve this issue." And pointing to PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan.

 

'WE WILL REMAIN IN THE PEOPLE'S MEMORIES'

 

Emphasizing that everyone should protect their culture and existence, Ertaş said: “Wherever we are in the world, we will defend our right to our mother tongue through music, education and action. We will not allow them to tear us away from our history. We will remain in the people's memory with our songs, our voice and our colors."

 

MA / Rukiye Adıgüzel