A Gathering to Protect the Future of Dengbêj Heritage
Serra Bucak, Co-Mayor of Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality, met with dengbêjs at the Dengbêj House to listen to their requests and suggestions regarding the preservation of Kurdish oral literature and cultural heritage for future generations. During the meeting, information was provided not only on measures to protect cultural heritage but also on the recent regulations concerning the working conditions of dengbêjs.
Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality continues its efforts to preserve and pass on the heritage of dengbêj tradition, an important carrier of Kurdish oral literature and collective memory. The Department of Culture, Arts and Social Affairs met with dengbêjs working within DBB at the Dengbêj House in the Ziya Gökalp Neighbourhood of Sur district.
The gathering was attended by Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayor Serra Bucak, Deputy Chief Executive Muhabbet Erdoğmuş, DBB Assembly Co-Spokesperson Demet Ceylan, Head of the Department of Culture, Arts and Social Affairs Zeynep Yaş, members of the Culture Assembly Commission and numerous dengbêjs.
Artists to Be Granted Official Status
The meeting also addressed new arrangements concerning dengbêjs’ working conditions. It was stated that dengbêjs who had previously provided services within the municipality on a voluntary basis would henceforth continue their work with official artist status.
Speaking at the meeting, Co-Mayor Serra Bucak said that they had signed contracts with 24 dengbêjs and established the framework for their work, adding:
“Today, we will spend some time together and talk. I am very happy that you have come, and I thank you for your efforts. You are the dengbêjs of this ancient city, and you are immensely valuable to us. You are keeping this ancient art alive. I hope that the number of young dengbêjs will increase in the period ahead.”
Head of the Department of Culture, Arts and Social Affairs Zeynep Yaş also highlighted the historical and cultural significance of dengbêj tradition, saying:
“There are currently 24 dengbêjs working within our organisation. We hope this number will increase further in every city and district. We have come together to recognise the value of our dengbêjs and to ensure that this ancient heritage is given the place it deserves.”
‘We Need Young Dengbêjs’
The dengbêjs who spoke at the gathering expressed their pleasure and happiness at coming together. Stressing the need for young dengbêjs, they said they would continue their work with this aim in mind.
