The Arîn Culture and Arts Student Association opened on October 11 in Istanbul’s Fatih district. Melisa Çelik and Mehmet Yiğit from the association emphasized that students’ social spaces are limited and that, as an alternative, there needs to be a communal youth space like Arîn where artistic and cultural activities take place.
Photo: Doğa Tekneci / Niha+
The Arîn Culture and Arts Student Association held its opening ceremony yesterday, on October 11, in Istanbul’s Fatih district. The opening ceremony, held at the association’s building in the İskenderpaşa neighborhood, was attended by students as well as many other people.
Young people dressed in traditional attire celebrated the association’s opening by dancing the halay (govend) to the sound of zılgıt and applause.
Feleknaz Karabaş, a member of the Istanbul Council of Peace Mothers, was the first to speak at the ceremony, saying that it was an honor to see young people championing their language and culture. Karabaş noted that without young people, they would be incomplete, emphasizing that language, culture, and art represent a people’s very existence, and called on everyone to “stand up for our existence.” Karabaş’s speech was met with applause and cheers.
“We aim for a communal life”
Melisa Çelik and Mehmet Yiğit from the Arîn Culture and Arts Student Association explained the association’s purpose and the types of activities it will undertake to Niha+.
Melisa Çelik defined the association’s founding purpose as “offering a collective life through communal labor.” Çelik said that communal life is something students can create not only in villages and rural areas but also in city centers by coming together.
Drawing attention to women’s initiatives in Arîn, Çelik noted that they plan to hold workshops on jineology, art, philosophy, and culture.
“The mechanisms of oppression in homes, dormitories, and schools are pushing young people toward ‘café’ culture. Under the guise of this 2–3-hour ‘freedom,’ young people feel trapped. Places like Arîn aim to foster communal living and unity in a communal way.”
Mehmet Yiğit from the association, meanwhile, emphasized that students’ living spaces are restricted “by the capitalist system” and that, as an alternative, there needs to be a youth space like Arîn where artistic and cultural activities take place:
“Since the capitalist system is increasingly restricting all areas of human life, especially those of youth and students, we thought about what we could create as an alternative, and that’s when the Arîn Culture, Arts, and Student Association came to mind. Here, we will engage in art, culture, and technology projects.”
Yiğit also mentioned that, in addition to piano, guitar, and bağlama lessons, various workshops and classes in Kurdish and English would be offered.
Songs by Şahê Bedo accompanied the opening
Following the opening remarks, Kurdish artist Şahê Bedo performed several songs. Many people gathered in front of the association accompanied Şahê Bedo’s songs with victory signs. After the songs, the young people at the association invited everyone who had come to celebrate the opening inside to tour the facility.
The “Free Women’s Room” and workshop on the top floor, along with the common area on the middle floor, created a colorful impression for those who entered. Various paintings, rugs with regional patterns, and musical instruments filled the rooms. The photograph of Musa Anter, Eyşe Şan, and Hozan Serhad on the top floor was particularly striking.
The crowd touring the interior of the association then went back outside and continued celebrating the opening.
The opening concluded with traditional halay dances.