Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayors Serra Bucak and Doğan Hatun attended an event held to mark the anniversary of Ajansa Welat’s founding. Speaking at the programme, Co-Mayor Bucak underlined that the free press is in pursuit of the truth, and said that journalists’ work is sacred.

Ajansa Welat (AW), a Kurdish-language news agency, organised an event at the Çand Amed Culture and Congress Centre as part of its first anniversary programme. Alongside the Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayors Serra Bucak and Doğan Hatun, the event was attended by Metropolitan Municipal Council Co-Spokespersons Demet Ceylan and Ayhan Karatekin, council members, district municipality co-mayors, representatives of political parties and civil society organisations, and many journalists.

Co-Mayor Bucak: The torch of truth is passed from hand to hand

Speaking in Kurdish at the programme, Co-Mayor Bucak drew attention to the free press’s decades-long struggle, saying: “Although Ajansa Welat has completed its first year today, the journey for freedom in this country has been going on for years. The free press has been pursuing the truth for nearly 40 years. The torch of truth is passed from hand to hand, like a flag in a relay. This flag is carried from one generation to the next. The free press has, like a school, been opening the way for 40 years and giving voice to the Kurdish people’s freedom. Of course, this path was opened through immense effort. This sacred work for truth and justice rose on the shoulders of the martyrs of the free press. They always illuminated the path of truth.”

“I wish Ajansa Welat continued success.”

Emphasising the sacredness of journalists’ labour, Co-Mayor Bucak said: “Today we are very proud that their flag was not allowed to fall; it has been raised ever higher. Dozens of institutions were established—newspapers, radio stations and television channels were founded. Through sacred work, the truth was not allowed to remain in darkness. As the Kurdish people, we are all deeply grateful to them. With this sacred labour, the torch of truth was carried and the road to freedom was opened. And today, you are carrying this torch further. I wish Ajansa Welat continued success, and may our path always be open. Ajansa Welat is our voice—our colour.”

The programme concluded with a performance by the Govend Group and a concert by the artist Arhat.