Ahead of the 2021 Huseyin Çelebî Literature Festival on 23 October in Freiburg, Peace in Kurdistan publishes this message in honour of Huseyin Çelebî.

This message can be downloaded as a pdf here: https://www.peaceinkurdistancampaign.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Peace-in-Kurdistan-remembers-Huseyin-Çelebî.pdf

Peace in Kurdistan remembers Huseyin Çelebî

Peace in Kurdistan remembers Huseyin Çelebî as an outstanding Kurdish political activist and fighter for his people’s freedom.

As a Kurd whose family had been displaced from their homeland following the Dersim Massacre of 1938, Huseyin was born into a family whose background was steeped in the history of the Kurdish struggle. Involvement in politics was second nature to him. Activism was an inescapable and integral part of who he was from his earliest days.

Driven by a passion for justice exemplified in the cause of the Kurdish liberation struggle, Huseyin Çelebî’s bravery was unsurpassed and commitment unflinching. His life became an embodiment of that cause, and the cause grew in strength with his participation and through the enduring example of his steadfastness and ultimate martyrdom.

As one of those accused in Germany’s notorious show trial of Kurdish political activists that was held in Dusseldorf between 1989 and 1994, Huseyin Çelebî remained unbowed and his commitment undiminished. In fact, his stature as a human being and as a fighter for freedom were only strengthened through that experience.

In a short but intense life, he showed outstanding abilities as an activist, leader and human being. He possessed all those essential qualities of loyalty, courage and intelligence that comprise the best of what it means to be fully human.

A founding member of the Kurdistan Students’ Union in Europe, his prowess as a young leader was clearly demonstrated at an early age.

He dedicated his life to his people’s liberation and to this day he continues to be a role model for Kurdish youth and an inspiration to all those working for the freedom of the Kurds.

Peace in Kurdistan honours his memory. His life and dedication will continue to motivate all our actions.

 

POEM IN MEMORY OF HUSEYIN ÇELEBÎ

Our Freedom – our freedom – our freedom

 

a sound we repeat with angry lips

under the exchange of fire

and flames

we run after it

despite our chains

and follow its tracks

despite the night

and struggle ardently

for our freedom

freedom.

 

We shall carve its name

while we resist

on the land

by the walls

and the doors

and the fields

on every hill

and every valley

and every curve

and road

in prisons

in the torture rooms

despite the chains

and house demolitions.

We shall carve its name

Until we see it again

Extending to our homeland

and flourish

by our freedom.

And the night vanishes

and the day breaks

our freedom – our freedom – our freedom.

 

Estella, 14 October 2021

 

Peace in Kurdistan

Campaign for a political solution of the Kurdish Question

Email: estella@gn.apc.org

https://www.peaceinkurdistancampaign.com

Contacts Estella Schmid: 07846 666 804 & Melanie Gingell: 07572 430903

 

Patrons: John Austin, Baroness Blower of Starch Green, former GS NUT, Prof Bill Bowring, Julie Christie, Noam Chomsky, Jeremy Corbyn MP,  Prof Mary Davis, Lord Dholakia, Simon Dubbins, UNITE International Director,  Jill Evans, former MEP, Desmond Fernandes, Lindsey German, Convenor STWC, Melanie Gingell, Christopher Gingell, Prof Dr. Michael Gunter, Secretary-General, EU Turkey Civic Commission (EUTCC), Rahila Gupta, journalist, Nick Hildyard, policy advisor,  Dafydd Iwan, Former President Plaid Cymru, James Kelman, Bruce Kent, Jean Lambert, former MEP, Dr Les Levidow, Open University, Elfyn Llwyd, John McDonnell MP; Aonghas MacNeacail, Scottish Gaelic poet, Mike Mansfield QC, David Morgan, journalist, Doug Nicholls, General Secretary, GFTU, Dr. Jessica Ayesha Northey, Sinn Fein MLA Conor Murphy, Dr Thomas Jeffrey Miley, Kate Osamor MP, Margaret Owen OBE, Ali Gul Ozbek, Former Councillor and Mayor of Haringey; Gareth Peirce, Dr Felix Padel, Maxine Peake, actor, Dr Thomas Phillips, Liverpool John Moores University, Trevor Rayne, writer, Joe Ryan, Tony Simpson, Bertrand Russell Peace Foundation, Stephen Smellie, PIK Trade Union Liaison Officer, Jonathan Steele, journalist,  Steve Sweeney, journalist,  Gianni Tognoni, General Secretary Permanent People’s Tribunal, Dr Tove Skutnabb-Kangas, Dr Federico Venturini, Associate Researcher, University of Udine, Italy; Dr Tom Wakeford, Dr Derek Wall, Julie Ward, former MEP, Kariane Westrheim, Chair, EU Turkey Civic Commission (EUTCC); Hywel Williams MP.