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Londra Gazete, 07 July 2022 LondraGazete.com/English 3

Mahmut Akay's new film covers

Turkish-speaking community in the UK

TURKISH Cypriot director
Mahmut Akay's documentary 'We're
Home' is about the Turkish-speak-
ing community living in the UK.
Successful director Mahmut Akay,
who has achieved significant success
abroad, has attracted attention with
his new work with the symbolic de-
struction of the Turkish-speaking
demographic that has a large popu-
ADDP: "Ideas and thoughts lation in the UK. The short film trav-
erses a jumble of Turkish-speaking
people living in the UK, capturing
will always enlighten us, the diversity and reflections on
their invisibility in the media.
Despite the film’s recent release,
they will be our light" 'We're Here' has already been re- Mahmut Akay
vealed to have been awarded the
ATATÜRK'S World Platform their ideas and thoughts will al- prestigious Vimeo Staff Pick award. ken about these issues for countless
for Thought made a statement ways enlighten us, they will be London-born director Mahmut hours and finally decided to make a
about the massacre in which our light. Akay has worked with brands such film about it. Everyone we asked to
33 people lost their lives at the In order not to experience these as Vogue, David Beckham and Wall's feature in the film welcomed us to
Madımak Hotel during the Pir pains again; Our task today is to Ice Cream. His movies have been record them with open arms. The
Sultan Abdal Festivals organized show the way out of the darkness featured in magazines like The Hol- positive reaction from the Turkish
by the Pir Sultan Abdal Cultural to the light and to transform the lywood Reporter, Yahoo, The A.V speaking community made the pro-
Association in Sivas 29 years ago. language of hate into love. This Club and more. cess even more rewarding for us.
The written statement made by is the path, in the light of science Akay, who made special state- Our intention is to try and bring
the Atatürk World Platform for and reason, which our great Lead- ments to the London Gazette about more exposure to this issue and
Thought is as follows: er Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk his new movie 'We're Here', used the raise enough awareness to bring
“The massacre committed showed us, without marginaliz- following statements: about changes in the representa- Fırat Ayas
against our intellectuals and ing each other, accepting differ- “We’re Here’ was born out of my tion of the Turkish demographic on
artists in Madımak 29 years ago ent ideas and thoughts as wealth, disenchantment with the British British media. Ultimately, we want child growing up in in Tottenham.
was actually committed against without discriminating between media’s under-representation of the this film to tell everyone that; ‘we’re With this short film I hope to
the knees, notes and all colors of religions and sects, believers and Turkish demographic in the Unit- here’.” bring awareness to the hardworking
modern Turkey on the way to en- non-believers, the Republic of ed Kingdom. There’s estimated to Firat Ayas, the producer of the people of Cyprus & Turkey and what
lightenment. Those who scream Turkey, which is a modern, secu- be over 700,000 Turkish speaking movie 'We're Here', spoke to the they have achieved and continue to
saying we want sharia, should lar and social state of law. It is to Brits, yet we seldom see anything London Gazette and stated that achieve through sheer dedication
know that the light of Sivas has spread the struggle of enlighten- about them on the media. If we’re they want to reflect the success of and a relentless work ethic. I want
never been extinguished and will ment for the survival of our coun- lucky enough see them, then chanc- Turkish-speaking community mem- to bring light to their achievements
never go out. On the contrary, try all over our country.’’ es are it will probably be about ke- bers living in the UK through this and how they etched a place for
bab restaurants. The problem with short film. themselves in this society that didn't
this symbolic annihilation is that it “As Mahmut has mentioned, the accept them and I guess is still to a
17 year old Ali Baygören laid permeates into other areas such as a idea of We're Here was born from the degree blind to their presence and
countless hours of conversations we contributions to this beautiful place
lack of job opportunities, stereotyp-
to rest in London ing and prejudice. It’s not just about had in cafes. Conversations about we call home. They are the proud
the spotlight but it’s an all-encom-
identity, belonging, who are we and people who can inspire the future
passing issue. what are we? Questions that I have generations and hopefully become
A farewell ceremony was held On June 30, hundreds lit candles My producer Firat and I have spo- had since my earliest memories as I positive role models to them.”
at the Cemevi in London for flowers were placed at the memo-
17-year-old Ali Baygören, who rial ceremony which took place.
was stabbed to death in North Dede Mehmet Yüksel conduct- Victims of Sivas Massacre remembered on 29th anniversary
London on June 19. Hundreds ed the funeral said that society
of people gather to say their final should protect its own identity COMMEMORATING the 29th
fair wells to Ali including his fam- and future. Anniversary of the Sivas Massa-
ily, representatives of local asso- Following the ceremony Ali was cre in London, on Saturday 2 July
ciations and community mem- taken to Chingford Cemetery community organisations repre-
bers all attending the ceremony. where he was laid to rest. sentatives and community mem-
bers came together the Madımak
Memorial in Stoke Newington. At
the ceremony, carnations were left
around the monument where pho-
tographs of those who lost their
lives during the massacre were
placed. In the speeches, a common
opinion was advocated that the
Madimak Massacre was carryout
with the organization of the state.
Throughout the commemoration,
slogans were chanted. After the
speeches, young students played
the instrument and recited the re-
membrance program.