THE 34th Culture and Art Festival, organized by the Turkish and Kurdish Community Solidarity Centre (Day-Mer) in London, ended with an impressive park festival. After a rainy morning, more than 5 thousand people attended the festival throughout the day, despite the date change in the park.
At the park festival held in Clissold Park, DAY-MER President Aslı Gül, Istanbul Deputy İskender Bayhan, former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn and many union representatives made speeches calling the participants to fight. Many unions and campaign groups displayed their stands and banners at the park festival.
The event started with a moment of silence for those who lost their lives in Sivas Massacre, in the Greenfell building in London, and tens of thousands of people who lost their lives in the earthquakes in Turkey. In addition, a special corner was devoted to the Sivas Massacre and a photography exhibition was held on the 6 February earthquake.
Gül, in her speech, stated that they would increase solidarity by emphasising those who have lost their lives as well as migrant workers support the strikes and show solidarity.
After the speeches, the park festival was the scene of colourful events. Many artists took the stage with Turkish and Kurdish traditional music and dance performances. In addition, playgrounds, face painting activities and workshops were organized for children. At the festival, tastes from Turkish cuisine were presented and the participants had fun with various food and beverage stands.
The park festival reflected Day-Mer’s aim to promote solidarity, cultural interaction and struggle together among communities. Participants had the opportunity to meet and communicate with people from different cultures. At the same time, awareness was raised on various human rights and social justice issues, and the society in general was brought together with messages of unity and solidarity.
With the 34th Culture and Art Festival, Day-Mer aimed to draw attention to social problems, fight injustice and strengthen understanding and respect between different cultures. This event aimed to make the Turkish and Kurdish communities in London heard and to join forces by coming together. The park festival ended with the enthusiastic and positive energy of the participants. Day-Mer has demonstrated its determination to continue to gain the support of the community and spread solidarity further with larger and more comprehensive events in the years to come.
