‘Women should protect their will and play an active role in art activities’
“Thanks to the revolution in Rojava, many women have realized their dreams of becoming artists, musicians and writers,” said Kurdish musician Sumaya Mohamed.
NEXEM ÇAÇAN
Qamishlo- Since the revolution in Rojava led by women, women have participated in all facets of life, including politics, decision-making positions, art and culture and social life.
Sumaya Modamed, a Kurdish musician living in northeastern Syria, has carried out her art and cultural activities freely since the revolution.
‘My interest in music started when I was a child’
“As a musician, I grew up in a Kurdish patriotic family. My interest in music started when I was a child,” Sumaya Mohamed told NuJINHA. “Carrying out art and cultural activities was very difficult before the Rojava Revolution. During the rule of the Baathist regime, we could not sing Kurdish songs at school because our language was forbidden.”
Sumaya Mohamed had to convince her family to continue her cultural activities after getting married. “After getting married and building a new family, I did not know how to convince my family to continue my cultural activities. But I knew that women should protect their own will and play an active role in art and cultural activities.”
‘We formed groups to develop our art and cultural works’
Speaking about the developments in art and cultural activities after the revolution, she said, “In 2013, the culture and art center in the city of Serêkaniyê (Ras al-Ayn) was taken from the regime. We formed many departments and groups at the center; however, we faced many challenges after a while. Despite all the challenges, we continued our activities by remembering the speeches of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan about the importance of art and culture. Thanks to the revolution in Rojava, many women have realized their dreams of becoming artists, musicians, writers and politicians.”
‘We are still hopeful’
In 2019, the Turkish state and Turkish-backed factions attacked Serêkaniyê, forcibly displacing thousands.
“We were displaced from our homes, our city. But we are still hopeful. We will return to our city one day. In North and East Syria, we carry out art and cultural activities and will continue to do so.”