Bremen, Germany, 19th May, 2003

The Kurdish PEN Centre has obtained the information from the Europe-based Union of the Kurdish Organisations KOMKAR which intends to organise the first Kurdish Book-Fair in Germany between 6 and 8 June, 2003. The Book-Fair, dedicated to the 100th Anniversary of the famous Kurdish poet Cegerxwin, will be located in the Bürgerzentrum Alte Feuerwache in the city of Cologne in Germany.

As unfortunate as it can be, the Turkish state is trying to intervene into this purely cultural activity despite the fact that it will take place outside Turkey and it is dedicated to the memory of the poet who has not been a Turkish citizen. It is therfore outraging that the Turkish Vice-Consul Mrs. Fatma Ünlü has written a letter to the centre Alte Feuerwache requesting the names of the Book-Fair participants.

As it were not enough that the Turkish state, from the very beginning, has been fighting the Kurdish language and identity using bans against films, tapes, newspapers and books about the Kurdish people both in the Kurdish and Turkish languages, it now endeavours to disturb Kurdish literary and cultural activities in Europe. We are aware that the Turkish Consulate-General wants to receive the names of the people and publishing houses participating in the Book-Fair in order to punish them and prevent their further involvement in Kurdish-related events.

Needless to say, this constitues a blant violation of civilized norms and behaviour and oversteps the jurisdiction of the Turkish repressive state. The request of the Turkish diplomats also undermines the promises of the Ankara authorities to bring their legal and democratic reality to the European standards.

 The Kurdish PEN Centre appeals to the national PEN Centers to discourage the Turkish politicians from such an interference. We also call on the Turkish officials to change their attitude towards everything bearing the word “Kurd”.

The Kurdish PEN Center supports the organisers of this Book-Fair, as it does with all the literary events revealing the heritage of Kurdistan to the international public. We believe that the best way to disrupt the outdated approach of the Turkish authorities is to attend the Book-Fair in Cologne and to learn more about the Kurdish literary life.

Dr. Zaradachet Hajo, President
Moustafa Rechid, Vice-President
Dr. Zurab Aloian, Secretary