Alevi organisations organised "Nature, Culture and Belief Festival" for the first time in Qûrçik village of Gimgim (Varto) in Mûş. The festival was organised by Qûrçik Village Cem and Culture House Assistance and Solidarity Association, Alevi Federation of Turkey (ADFE), Confederation of European Alevi Unions (AABF) and Alevi artists participating in the festival, which will end today, expressed that the Peace and Democratic Society Process is also important for Alevis. 

 

Artist Burhan Karakaş said that the organisation of the festival in Qûrçik is important for Alevis because of its religious dimension and emphasised the importance of the festival against assimilation. Stating that Alevis living in these lands for thousands of years have always been in favour of peace, Karakaş drew attention to the Peace and Democratic Solution Process: "We find this process very important. If peace comes, peace comes to everyone. Alevis have always expected peace. We hope that this process will be successful."

 

Stating that there are groups who do not believe in the process as much as those who believe in it and that the process is being tried to be undermined, Karakaş underlined that these groups are those who feed on war. 

 

'ALEVIS MUST RESIST AGAINST ASSIMILATION'

 

 

Stating that Alevis have been facing assimilation since the Ottoman Empire, Karakaş said that while the process is being carried out on the one hand, assimilation policies against Alevis continue on the other hand. 

 

"They want to connect Alevis to the Ministry of Culture. This is assimilation. That is why we say, 'People must resist this.' If there is no resistance, they will be assimilated. Real artists are in favour of peace. We are also in favour of peace and brotherhood. Today, language, faith and people can stand side by side. Our wish is for peace and beauty to be realised. Let's all live together," he said. 

 

Karakaş added that faith should be kept alive and maintained against assimilation.

 

'ALEVISM HAS EXISTED FOR CENTURIES'

 

 

Erencan Çelik, one of the artists who participated in the festival, said that the festival was necessary and even a long overdue work for the faith. Pointing to the assimilation of the Alevi faith, Çelik stated that the state's policies towards minorities have always been in effect. Stating that these policies are wrong and that they divide people, Çelik said that these policies should be abandoned. 

 

Çelik stated that as Alevis they are not against any belief or organisation: "What we want is for them to respect our belief. We do not say 'they should recognise Alevism'. Alevism has already existed for centuries. We just want them not to interfere with us, to stay away. Somehow we are already practising our faith.” 

 

'WHAT ÖCALAN ALSO WANTS IS PEACE, NOT WEAPONS'

 

Stating that there would be no gains from war, Çelik expressed that the process being carried out was pleasing. Underlining that Abdullah Öcalan's wish is not weapons but peace, Çelik concluded: "I hope that this peace process will bring a great gain to both the Turkish and Kurdish people. The establishment of the Republic of Turkey in the past was also a result of the unity of the Turkish and Kurdish people. I hope they can make peace. Of course, it should be bilateral, not unilateral."