Kobanê - The 2nd Arîn Bisk and Zilfên Aştiyê Theater Festival, which kicked off in Kobanê on October 5, on the 8th death anniversary of YPJ fighter Arin Mirkan, with the motto, “Little Hope Here Should be Disclosed,” ended yesterday, on its 9th day. On the last day of the festival, the “Biborin Mem û Zîn" theater play was performed by the Community of Hope Creators, a theater group.

After the play, all theater players, directors and people participating in the festival went to the Martyr Dicle Cemetery with Arin Mirkan's mother and commemorated Arin Mirkan.

“We gave a political message”

NuJINHA spoke to Zeyneb Mihemed, who portrayed Zin in the theater play, about the play.

“We formed a theater play within a theater play by using a different style while performing the Biborin Mem û Zîn theater play. In the play, there are two theater players, Nalin and Salar, who prepare to stage another theater play; however, the director has to cancel the play because the Syrian government bans it because it was a political play. A video screening shows all these. Nalin and Salar decide to stage another theater play, Mem and Zin. While the audience watch the video to see what is happening, we are performing the ‘Biborin Mem û Zîn (Sorry Men and Zin)’ theater play. Mem and Zin is a Kurdish classic love story. In the story, Mem and Zin love each other. There is an evil character named Beko. Instead of focusing on the Beko character, we discuss the ongoing conflicts between the Kurdish factions-parties in the play. We gave a political message in our performance. I hope the festival will be held in my hometown, Afrin, next year.”

“The foundation of theater culture has been laid”

Speaking about the festival, Necla Bozan, member of the Hilala Zêrîn Women’s Cultural Movement in the Euphrates Region, said, “The Kurdish people do not have a strong theater culture. This is one of the reasons for the attacks on our culture. This festival will create a culture of love for theater among the Kurdish people. Various theater plays were performed at the festival for nine days by different theater groups from many regions to promote their regions. Each theater play performed at the festival contains our reality. The theater performance of the Community of Hope Creators was very successful and meaningful.”