BERJİN KARA

Makhmour- The Stêra Zêrîn Cultural Center carries out cultural and artistic activities in the Martyr Rustem Cudi Camp (Makhmour Refugee Camp). On June 16, the center initiated a course dedicated in memory of Hozan Mizgin to teach musical instruments. At the course, about 120 children and young people will learn how to play baglama, guitar and erbane for about three months. NuJINHA spoke to Zenura Babat, a teacher of the Stêra Zêrîn Cultural Center, about the course and activities of the center.

 She has been interested in art since her childhood

Speaking about her artistic journey, Zenura Babat said, “I have been interested in art and culture since my childhood. At the elementary school, I was a member of the folklore group and a choir and I took singing lessons. Actually, my artistic journey started by singing. I sang songs and joined many musical groups. Then, I took an active part in many fields of arts such as theater and culture.” Zenura Babat was impressed by her aunt who played the baglama.  “I used to go to her house every day. My aunt first taught us general information about the baglama. Then, we started playing baglama. We had a small speaker, a microphone. We used to sign while my aunt played baglama. I have taken part in many fields of arts but I feel happy when I play musical instruments and sing.”

Zenura Babat gave us information about the course started by the Stêra Zêrîn Cultural Center. “We opened the course on June 15. The children and young people attending the course learn how to play baglama, guitar and erbane. Now, I teach 55 children how to play baglama. We have a small musical group called Martyr Mîr Perwer. Our musical group called Martyr Şaristan is bigger. I did not expect that the course attendees would learn so fast. They learned how to sign in a short time. I feel happy when I see the course attendees learn.”

‘I want to teach them their culture’

Zenura Babat also talked about why she teaches people how to play musical instruments. “Our aim is not only teaching people how to play musical instruments but also to preserve Kurdish culture. Musical instruments have existed since ancient times and we want to preserve our culture through them.”

‘Teach your culture to your children’

At the end of her speech, Zenura Babat called on the Kurdish people to teach their culture to their children. “Our people should improve their arts because a person deprived of art and culture is a missing person. We should make more efforts so that we can pass our culture and art down to the next generations.”

Vejîn Güler is a child attending the course held by the center. Speaking about the course, she said, “I started learning how to play baglama a year ago. When I heard that a course would be opened, I decided to attend it. I have been learning how to play baglama. Previously, I attended another course held by the center.”