ŞİRİN MİHEMED

Qamishlo- The revolution in North and East Syria, also known as Rojava, paves the way for women of all ages to improve their skills in art and culture. With the support of culture and art centers, many women sing songs, draw pictures, write poems and play musical instruments in the city.

Deline Loqman, a 21-year-old young woman living in Qamishlo, writes poems.

‘Writing poems requires experience and knowledge’

Deline Loqman grew up in a family that loves reading books and writing. “My father taught me to love books when I was a child. We used to read Arabic books because Kurdish books were forbidden. My father is a poet and taught me how to write poems,” said Deline Loqman, who started learning how to write and read in Kurdish four years ago. “I used to learn my father’s poems by heart and read them during celebrations held in schools or other places. The more I wrote poems, the more I improved myself. Writing poems is not easy, it requires experience and knowledge.”

Speaking about the challenges faced by her, she said:

“I did not study poetry so I do not have the general knowledge of literature but I do my best to improve myself. The revolution in Rojava gives an opportunity to young women and girls to identify and improve their skills. Before the revolution in Rojava, we could not speak our mother language but now, we learn our mother language; we read and write in Kurdish. Today, women sing songs, draw pictures, write poems and play musical instruments in public spaces. I call on all women to realize their dreams by breaking all barriers. We should improve our skills against the patriarchal mindset that tries to marginalize women in society.”

‘I want to improve my painting skills’

20-year-old Fatima Hussein has loved painting since her childhood and wants to improve her painting skills. “My mother and my elder sister support me. My sister has also been interested in painting since her childhood. I want to enroll in the Painting Institute to learn more about essential painting techniques after graduating from high school.”

‘I want to be a well-known painter’

Fatima Hussein wants to study art because, “you should know essential painting techniques. At the beginning, I drew by using charcoal and then painted on wood and now I do oil painting. I will learn more about painting because I want to be a well-known painter. I call on girls and young women to improve themselves despite all the barriers.”

She sings Kurdish songs

Jimin Abdel Manaf Othman, 29, has been singing since her childhood. “My father is also a singer. In the first years of the revolution in Rojava, many culture and art centers were opened. I went to one of them to improve my singing skills. Before the revolution, we could not sing Kurdish songs but now we sing Kurdish songs freely thanks to the revolution in Rojava. Now, women play an active role in all facets of life; they play an active role in politics, military and culture and art,” she told NuJINHA.

“I learned how to play baglama’

Jimin Abdel Manaf Othman attended a course of the center and learned how to play baglama, a string musical instrument. I attend courses to get a good singing voice and to play baglama better. I sing Kurdish songs to preserve our culture. Old Kurdish songs tell stories. We have many centers and organizations supporting girls and young women in improving their skills. I call on all parents to pave the way for their daughters so that they can improve their skills and play their role in society.”