Sivan Perwer: Kurds Must Begin Thinking as One Nation

Last month, before thousands of fans and only a short distance from where he was born, Kurdish singer Sivan Perwer performed in the Kurdish heartland of Diyarbakir, where he returned after 37 years in exile. Perwer, regarded as the foremost singer of the Kurds who for decades kept alive the Kurdish language and yearning for “Kurdistan,” was in Diyarbakir during a landmark visit by Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani.

In an interview with Rudaw Perwer, 57, spoke about the warm reception he received by the people of Diyarbakir, the cold but mixed reaction of Kurdish politicians there, and his own feelings upon returning to the land of his birth. Here is his complete interview:

Rudaw: How did you feel the night before your return?

Sivan Perwer: Artists are very emotional and they might weep in most situations, but I always try to hold my emotions back because I have been through many ordeals and nothing surprises me anymore. No doubt it is very nice to go back to your home, especially Diyarbakir (Amed), which is the stronghold of determination, peace and the home of brave people. I always said that, if I ever returned, I would go to Amed first, and so I did. Unfortunately, I did not walk in the streets of Amed or talk to its people and hug them, because the situation did not permit that. I also saw people who were happy and those who were hateful, but I could read the happiness in the eyes of the people.

Rudaw: Before your departure to Europe, when you were a student in Ankara, you were often visiting Amed and organizing concerts. What differences have you noticed in Amed this time?

Sivan Perwer: In early 1976, I was visiting Amed and thought the situation would change, because the people were very excited and they were fearlessly singing in Kurdish. My dream was to return to Amed one day to organize a concert and see people greet me and tell me that I am welcome to my home. This was 37 years ago. The situation has changed now, but like a young tree it still needs care and a lot has to be done.

Rudaw: The song Kine Em (who are we) was very influential and many people were imprisoned, tortured and hanged because of it. What did you feel when you stepped onto the stage to sing that song in Amed?

Sivan Perwer: Not only this song, many other songs were influential, especially the nationalist poems of Gigerxwen. Those poems were important for me, as they have influenced me a great deal. When I met Gigerkhwen in 1979 he told me, “Whenever I write a poem I think about its melody, as if you were sitting next to me and thinking like me.”

I changed his poem from Kime Az (who am I) to Kine Em, because it was more reflective of the situation. Many people were telling Gigerxwen that Shivan ruined his poem, but he told them, “No. Don’t say so. Sivan completed my poem.” This song describes all the historical and cultural aspects of Kurds and Kurdistan. I spent seven years until I finished this song. At that time rap did not exist. If I were an American artist, they would have labeled me as the father of rap songs, because I was the first person who sang a rap song.

Rudaw: How was your meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan?

Sivan Perwer: At first, Erdogan and President Barzani met privately to discuss politics. Ibo (Ibrahim Tatlesis) and I were sitting in a different room, when someone came and told me that his excellency the PM wanted to meet me. Many of the people there, especially the representatives of the AKP, ministers and officials were Kurds and they warmly welcomed us. His Excellency Erdogan warmly greeted me and told me that I was greatly welcomed there. He also said that he was waiting for the day when he could see me there.

I believe that his feelings towards me were genuine and not political. He also asked me about the well-being of my family and whether they were accompanying me or not. I told him that my son Serxobun was with me, and he greeted Serxobun as well and then we talked.

Rudaw: Mrs. Erdogan talked to you for sometime. What did she say?

Sivan Perwer: That’s true. Mrs. Erdogan and I talked thoroughly and she cried many times. She said that many people have seen suffering and displacement. She said she realized that if the ultranationalists or the Kemalists came to power, they would be forced to leave Turkey. She also said that they needed cooperation in order to strengthen democracy and the peace process in Turkey and the need to work together. She stressed that I was the citizen of this country and that I was their artist as well and welcome in this country.

Rudaw: Many other minorities were assimilated into the Turkish society without showing any resistance against the Turkish state. What sort of changes has the Kurdish struggle created in the Turkish mind?

Sivan Perwer: Kurds have struggled a lot, but the struggles were regional and did not become national. This was the difference between Ataturk and the Kurdish leaders. The Kurdish leaders were less nationalistic and remained as tribal leaders. Ataturk was the remnant of the Turkish capitulation against Europe, who chose nationalism and destroyed tribalism. Tribalism does not exist in Turkey anymore. Unfortunately we, the Kurds, are not united in our thoughts and are not thinking as a nation, but as tribes. The Europeans were divided as well in the past, but they eventually united and created nation states and conquered the world. One hundred years ago, Sheikh Abd al-Salam Barzani tried to achieve this goal, but his chances were too narrow as the English and the French were much stronger and annihilated his revolution.

Rudaw: How did the opposition parties like the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the People’s Republican Party (CHP) react to this occasion?

Sivan Perwer: The perpetrator that created this situation was the system of Kemalism and Turanism. Ataturk was more open-minded because he talked about Kurdistan and the autonomy of the Kurdish people during his time, but the pan-Turks changed everything according to their own desire, including Ataturk. It is a great misfortune that a Kurd from the heroic people of Dermis, is leading CHP, the very party that victimized his own ancestor and perpetuates this corrupt ideology. He is also fighting against the peace process and doing his best to create obstacles. Whereas MHP’s policy is clear: They call for the continuation of war and the destruction of the country.

Rudaw: How was the reaction of the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP)?

Sivan Perwer: I thank them, for they gave us a good reception. We had previously heard that their reaction was going to be negative, but I think when they knew that the president of Kurdistan Region supported the peace process and that I also supported the process as an artist, they reacted wisely and changed their stance. But, unfortunately their reception for me was not very warm. They kept me waiting outside and when I wanted to go in, a woman came and told me that there was no space left inside. They later let me in and after a very long speech by  Baydemir, mayor of Amed, he looked at me and said: “Once my father gave me a cassette and told me to hide it. The next time when I took out the cassette, it was decayed.” He also said, “But I became a patriot with your songs, Mr. Sivan.” Then he coldly said, “Welcome.”

It is actually very unpleasant to see our politicians receiving us in this manner, while the people were happy and excited to see us. The politicians are envious. I want to tell them that we do not have the intention to take their seats, so let them feel safe. We want to serve our people. It was of no harm that we took part in a process that was initiated by his Excellency Erdogan and the leader Ocalan.

Rudaw: Do you believe that the AKP will use your visit for its own political agenda?

Sivan Perwer: Why should we be so negative in our thinking? When they are fighting racism to change Turkey, why should we not help them? We are talking about federalism, autonomy and our rights in Turkey. With whom can we work, since the MHP and CHP are radically rejecting us? This means, whoever works for peace and extends his hand to us, we will hold his hands. They are risking their lives for peace, and the MHP or the CHP will eradicate everyone if they come to power.

Rudaw: Have you thought about settling in Amed after your visit?

Sivan Perwer: I love my country. I live in Erbil, Sulaimani and Duhok. A country is more beautiful with its people. Today, we have a president and a country. Our president assists all the parts of Kurdistan. I admit that there are some shortcomings, but we must protect the achievements and respect the hard working people.

Rudaw: Do you believe that the AKP is capable of solving the Kurdish issue?

Sivan Perwer: The AKP says that we are allies and that we will solve this problem together. We should welcome them and allow them to offer what they have. But the Kurds must unite first and become strong to solve their issues. Unfortunately, the Kurds are still weak and do not have the power necessary to solve their own issues.