BERJÎN KARA

Makhmour- Application for the 6th Martyr Deniz Fırat Literature Awards, held once in two years in memory of journalist Deniz Fırat (Leyla Yıldıztan), who was killed by ISIS at the the Makhmour Martyr Rustem Cudi Camp (Makhmour Refugee Camp) on August 8, 2014, began on April 11, 2024. The award ceremony will be held on August 8, 2024.

 NuJINHA spoke to Berivan Tunç, member of the Free Students’ Union (Kurdish: Yekitiya Xwendekarên Azad, YXA) and the preparatory committee of the Martyr Deniz Fırat Literature Awards, about the purpose of the awards and the conditions of application.

‘It has been held since 2015’

“The Martyr Deniz Fırat Literature Awards have been held since 2015 after Deniz was martyred by ISIS in 2014,” Berivan Tunç told us. “Application for the literature awards began on April 11, 2024. I have been a member of the committee for two years. The preparatory committee is responsible for determining the members of the jury and organizing everything for the literature awards.”

‘The awards are dedicated to the martyrs of freedom every year’

People from four parts of Kurdistan and other countries can apply for the Martyr Deniz Fırat Literature Awards. “The awards are given out in three categories; photography, poetry and story. The people applying for the awards should not publish their photographs, poems and stories anywhere before. The jury evaluates the applications in one month and the winners are announced in July. The award ceremony is held on August 8. The awards are dedicated to the martyrs of freedom every year. This year, the awards will be dedicated to Sara Hogir Riha, Bîşeng Birûsk and Seyîd Evran.”

Deadline for application is the end of June

Due to the siege imposed on the camp, the Martyr Deniz Fırat Literature Awards have been held once in two years since 2018. “Deadline for application is the end of June,” Berivan Tunç said. “We, as Deniz's friends, hold this event to keep Deniz alive and continue her legacy.”