The Kurdish people are known for their rich cultural heritage and deep-rooted musical tradition. One of the strongest elements of these traditions is the kaval playing culture.
Süleyman Şahin, 77, who lives in the Hacıbaba Neighborhood of Antep, spent most of his life working as a porter. When his aging body could no longer carry heavy loads, he started working as a hawker. Now, he is trying to make a living by opening a small slipper stall near his home.
Sidar Ferid is a 25-year-old young Kurdish musician and actor. Ferid, who has been interested in performing arts since a young age, received acting and music training to take this interest to a professional level. The artist, who continues to produce both on stage and in the studio today, draws attention with his innovative experiments in Kurdish music.
According to the Kurdish culture, the new year is celebrated on January 13th every year according to the Solar Calendar. This special day is commonly known as “Serê Salê” (New Year’s Eve – New Year’s End). Serê Salê, which is traditionally greeted with rituals such as going door to door, storytelling, songs and gifts, means a day full of joy and sharing, especially for children.