Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality organised a concert as part of the 21 February International Mother Language Day programme.

As part of the International Mother Language Day events organised by the Department of Culture, Arts and Social Affairs, instructors and students from the Aram Tigran City Conservatory performed a concert.

Held at the Çand Amed Culture and Congress Centre, the programme began with a dengbêj recital. It was followed by performances from instructors and students of the Aram Tigran City Conservatory, who sang in Kurmancî, Kirmanckî, Armenian and Syriac.

‘We believe Aram Tigran’s spirit is at peace here today’

Speaking at the programme, Zeynep Yaş, Head of the Department of Culture, Arts and Social Affairs, drew attention to the significance of 21 February International Mother Language Day. Recalling Aram Tigran’s emphasis on peace and music, Yaş said:

“Aram Tigran used to say, ‘If it were in my power, I would melt down all the weapons in the world and make musical instruments from their iron. I would sing songs with them.’ Today, we believe his spirit is at peace here.”

‘The spirit of the Tigris and Euphrates echoes here today through music’

Emphasising the historical and cultural richness of the region, Yaş said that the Tigris and Euphrates hold an important place in the memory of these lands, adding:

“The spirit of the Tigris and Euphrates, with which humanity itself was built, is echoing here today through music. With our multilingual and multicultural character, we show that life continues.”

‘It is encouraging to see young people on stage’

Stating that it is encouraging to see young people on stage, Yaş expressed the hope that no language would remain under pressure, and said that everyone should be able to live freely in their own language.