Resul Geyik – fables for the brotherhood among nations and languages
By Milena Rampoldi, ProMosaik. In the following my interview with Resul Geyik of theArtuklu University, who cooperated with ProMosaik in the fable project
FABLES AGAINST RACISM. We decided to translate the fable into Kurmanji Kurdish
because we firmly believe that only dialogue can contribute to a long-lasting
peace between Turks and Kurds in Turkey. Would like to thank Resul for his
answers.
Milena Rampoldi: I am convinced of the
importance of multicultural dialogue in Turkey. As last part of the historical
Ottoman Empire, Turkey is a multicultural country. What do you think about this
as Kurdish citizen?
importance of multicultural dialogue in Turkey. As last part of the historical
Ottoman Empire, Turkey is a multicultural country. What do you think about this
as Kurdish citizen?
Resul
Geyik: As known very well, the heritage of a country is not only the
underground resources, which can be directly into money and material, the
cultural heritage is of great significance, as well. During the Ottoman Empire
many different cultures, languages and nations used to be represented without
any problems at all levels of the society. Due to many reasons taking place all
over the world and especially in the Middle East, a lot of things are going
through negative things. Generally speaking, the establishment of peace and
respect between different cultures will definitely take the societies and
nations to a higher position. In four different parts of Turkey, one can easily
see people believing in different religions and speaking different languages
like Armenian, Arabic, Kurdish, Assyrian, Caucasian and so on. In order to be
able to keep the balance between different nations, policies based on mutual
respect and understanding will help people cope with the problems and give hope
to the days to come in the near future.
Geyik: As known very well, the heritage of a country is not only the
underground resources, which can be directly into money and material, the
cultural heritage is of great significance, as well. During the Ottoman Empire
many different cultures, languages and nations used to be represented without
any problems at all levels of the society. Due to many reasons taking place all
over the world and especially in the Middle East, a lot of things are going
through negative things. Generally speaking, the establishment of peace and
respect between different cultures will definitely take the societies and
nations to a higher position. In four different parts of Turkey, one can easily
see people believing in different religions and speaking different languages
like Armenian, Arabic, Kurdish, Assyrian, Caucasian and so on. In order to be
able to keep the balance between different nations, policies based on mutual
respect and understanding will help people cope with the problems and give hope
to the days to come in the near future.
Tell us about the history of Kurdish studies
in Turkey.
in Turkey.
The
history of Kurdish studies officially is very new and can be resembled to a
“fledging bird”. Some studies started in 2007-2008. Education of master studies
without thesis started in 5 universities. Moreover, The Kurdish language class
was given for 2 hours per week as elective courses in state schools. A few
publishing houses and private courses or associations have been doing things
related to Kurdish studies for about 20 to 30 years. But there is a lot way to
go for a systematic and methodological approach in education and other walks of
life.
history of Kurdish studies officially is very new and can be resembled to a
“fledging bird”. Some studies started in 2007-2008. Education of master studies
without thesis started in 5 universities. Moreover, The Kurdish language class
was given for 2 hours per week as elective courses in state schools. A few
publishing houses and private courses or associations have been doing things
related to Kurdish studies for about 20 to 30 years. But there is a lot way to
go for a systematic and methodological approach in education and other walks of
life.
Which are the most important matters you
teach in this field of Kurdish studies?
teach in this field of Kurdish studies?
The
main things which are taught all over Turkey are, Kurdish grammar, orthography,
literature and folklore. As can known very well, the Kurdish culture is one of
the richest culture in oral tradition. Therefore, the classes tend to be based
on oral culture and tradition. More studies on History, storytelling,
linguistics, journalism are about to come by the new generation, however, in my
opinion, in language issues one should
be very patient to be able to have fruitful results.
main things which are taught all over Turkey are, Kurdish grammar, orthography,
literature and folklore. As can known very well, the Kurdish culture is one of
the richest culture in oral tradition. Therefore, the classes tend to be based
on oral culture and tradition. More studies on History, storytelling,
linguistics, journalism are about to come by the new generation, however, in my
opinion, in language issues one should
be very patient to be able to have fruitful results.
I am sure that books like the ones we
are doing also in Kurmanji against racism can contribute to promote dialogue
among children from a young age. What do you think about it?
are doing also in Kurmanji against racism can contribute to promote dialogue
among children from a young age. What do you think about it?
I
totally agree with you. Racism is may be the only concept should be taken away
from children’s innocent life. When children play together, nothing matters to
them, the colours, the religions, the regions where they are from is not matter,
but in time, the schools, the families and the governments affect the way
children think. All over the world, the governments educate the children
through teachers, but it is a very sensitive issue that wrong educations always
have an unwanted and negative results. The education should start from
pre-school age, which is one of the most critical age period in terms of
forming the identity. So, true approaches will have important results.
totally agree with you. Racism is may be the only concept should be taken away
from children’s innocent life. When children play together, nothing matters to
them, the colours, the religions, the regions where they are from is not matter,
but in time, the schools, the families and the governments affect the way
children think. All over the world, the governments educate the children
through teachers, but it is a very sensitive issue that wrong educations always
have an unwanted and negative results. The education should start from
pre-school age, which is one of the most critical age period in terms of
forming the identity. So, true approaches will have important results.
How important are bilingual books for
Kurdish children who learn Kurdish before learning Turkish?
Kurdish children who learn Kurdish before learning Turkish?
The
bilingual books especially story books help children to develop the lexical
competence and increase specific words for their imagination world. In all cultures,
the education of preschool period is in line with the education to be given at
elementary school. It is linguistically very important to read and broadcast
bilingual books, cartoons or any audio-visual stuff, because when children
start elementary schools, the education period will be easier and we will be
able to see more confident students linguistically.
bilingual books especially story books help children to develop the lexical
competence and increase specific words for their imagination world. In all cultures,
the education of preschool period is in line with the education to be given at
elementary school. It is linguistically very important to read and broadcast
bilingual books, cartoons or any audio-visual stuff, because when children
start elementary schools, the education period will be easier and we will be
able to see more confident students linguistically.
Why did you decide to participate to
this project of ProMosaik Fables against racism?
this project of ProMosaik Fables against racism?
Fables,
stories, short stories and anecdotes always attract the attention of people not
only the children the adults as well. And I believe that fables are important for the brotherhood among nations and languages. I regard it as adding one more
stone to the Statue of Peace among nations and languages. That’s why it was
important for me to participate in such a project.
stories, short stories and anecdotes always attract the attention of people not
only the children the adults as well. And I believe that fables are important for the brotherhood among nations and languages. I regard it as adding one more
stone to the Statue of Peace among nations and languages. That’s why it was
important for me to participate in such a project.
