LOOKING AT WORLD LITERATURE AND RENOWNED WRITERS FROM AMED

22 April - 13 May 2012

Literature Music Concert Talk

Place: Sülüklü Han

‘Looking at World Literature and Renowned Writers from Amed’ was started out as a project aiming to bring together ongoing literary translation works with the concept of ‘world literature’ in Diyarbakır corresponding to the increasing production in the field of literature and the cultural dynamism in the city. Organized by Diyarbakır Arts Center in partnership with Lîs Editions and in collaboration with Sülüklü Han, the four-week event series that started April 22, 2012, consisted of a series of literature talks and panels demonstrating examples of the literary practices in Diyarbakır partaking in the world literature. The esteemed writers of world literature, including Walt Whitman, the poet of the American dream and freedom, Ezra Pound, who represents a life devoted to poetry, Edgar Allan Poe, the founder of the modern short story, and T.S. Eliot, one of the prominent figures of the 20th-century modernist poetry, were discussed. Throughout the event series, Kurdish music groups accompanied the literary discussions, and the books of the aforementioned four authors, translated into Kurdish by Kawa Nemir and published by Bajar Publishing, were also distributed for free during the events.

‘Poet of the American Dream and Freedom: Walt Whitman’ & Ferec Concert

‘Poet of the American Dream and Freedom: Walt Whitman’ & Ferec Concert

The first panel of the series, ‘Poet of the American Dream and Freedom: Walt Whitman’, was held April 22, 2012, with Kawa Nemir and Veysi Erdoğan as the keynote speakers. The panel was followed by a concert of the Kurdish heavy metal band Ferec. The event was attended by around 150 people and the book ‘Pêşengno! Lo Pêşengno’ by Walt Whitman was distributed to the audience.

‘The Subconscious of the 20th Century: T.S. Eliot’ & Sîya Şevê Concert

‘The Subconscious of the 20th Century: T.S. Eliot’ & Sîya Şevê Concert

The second panel of the series, ‘The Subconscious of the 20th Century: T.S. Eliot’, was held April 29, 2012, with Kawa Nemir and Şener Özmen as the keynote speakers. The audiovisual slideshow featuring the recordings of T.S. Eliot’s own voice that was presented at the event attracted significant attention. The panel was followed by the concert of the Kurdish rock band Siya Şevê, who debuted their new album ‘Beyom’ at the event. The event was attended by around 250 people and the book ‘Welatê Bejî û Deh Koroyên “The Rock”ê’ by T.S. Eliot was distributed to the audience.

‘A Life Devoted to Poetry and the Remorse from Fascism: Ezra Pound’ & Dodan Concert

‘A Life Devoted to Poetry and the Remorse from Fascism: Ezra Pound’ & Dodan Concert

The third panel of the series, ‘A Life Devoted to Poetry and the Remorse from Fascism: Ezra Pound’, was held May 6, 2012, with Kawa Nemir, Azad Ziya, and Dilawer Zeraq as the keynote speakers. The event was followed by the concert of Dodan and the book ‘Ji Çîn û Maçînê’ by T.S. Eliot was distributed to the audience.

‘A Cornerstone of World Literature and the Founder of Modern Short Story: Edgar Allan Poe’ & Mehmet Atlı Concert

‘A Cornerstone of World Literature and the Founder of Modern Short Story: Edgar Allan Poe’ & Mehmet Atlı Concert

The last panel of the series, ‘A Cornerstone of World Literature and the Founder of Modern Short Story: Edgar Allan Poe’, was held May 13, 2012, with Kawa Nemir and Samî Hêzil as the keynote speakers. At the event, the book ‘Qelareşk û Bîst Helbestên Din’ by Edgar Allan Poe was distributed to the audience. The event series came to an end with a concert by Mehmet Atlı.