The literature and peace conference, which explored the role of literature, language and enlightenment in peace, reconciliation and living together, concluded following a full day of sessions and discussions. Organised by International PEN and Kurdish PEN, with the support of Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality, Kayapınar Municipality, Bağlar Municipality, Yenişehir Municipality and Sur Municipality, the conference was held at the Ali Emiri Meeting Hall of Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality. The closing address was delivered by Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayor Emin Ay.

The conference was attended by Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayors Serra Bucak and Emin Ay, co-mayors of district municipalities, members of the Metropolitan Municipality Council, Deputy General Secretaries Zerrin Türk and Muhabbet Erdoğmuş, relevant department heads, writers, academics and representatives of civil society organisations.

Co-Mayor Emin Ay: We are following the process with hope and a sense of responsibility

Delivering the closing address, Co-Mayor Emin Ay said that the region and the world were going through a historic period of significant political, social and economic change and transformation. He noted that they were following the Peace and Democratic Society Process, which directly concerns the future of the Kurdish people and the entire society in Türkiye, with great hope and a shared sense of responsibility.

‘Building peace is a shared responsibility of all sections of society’

Emphasising that building peace was the shared responsibility of all sections of society, not just political actors, Co-Mayor Ay said the conference was particularly meaningful and valuable in this respect. He expressed his belief that the discussions, ideas shared and proposals put forward throughout the day would make an important contribution to making peace a part of society's collective life.

“Amed, with its thousands of years of history, rich cultural heritage and strong collective memory, has always been one of the major centres of intellectual thought, literature, art and social struggle. Our city, home to different languages, cultures and faiths, has once again had the honour of welcoming writers, poets, intellectuals and politicians from different parts of the world. As the local representatives of this city, we regard Amed's historical and cultural heritage as an important asset in building a democratic, libertarian and peaceful future.

“We know that resolving a deep-rooted issue with historical and social dimensions, such as the Kurdish question, cannot be confined to political negotiations alone. Building lasting peace also requires strengthening collective memory, the will to live together and democratic values,” he said.

‘Peace is a way of life built on equality and justice’

Emphasising that peace meant more than simply ending conflict, Co-Mayor Ay said it was a way of life in which languages, cultures and identities could flourish freely, and equality, justice and a democratic society could be built together.

He underlined the transformative power of literature, art and intellectual thought in this regard, adding that every word spoken in the cause of peace by writers, poets and intellectuals – the conscience and memory of society – was a valuable contribution to building a democratic future.

‘We are determined to fulfil our responsibility to make peace part of society's collective life’

Co-Mayor Ay said that Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality was determined to fulfil its responsibility to make peace part of society's collective life through its approach to local governance, based on democracy, participation, multilingualism and multiculturalism.

He expressed his hope that the conference would strengthen the ties between Kurdish literature and world literature and help build new bridges of solidarity among intellectuals from different peoples.

Burhan Sönmez receives the ‘Amed Honorary Award’

Following the closing speeches, Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayors Serra Bucak and Emin Ay presented International PEN President Burhan Sönmez with the ‘Amed Honorary Award’.