At the twenty seventh anniversary of the demise of Kurdish musician Hozan Serhad (Süleyman Alpdoğan), the Eu Federation of the Kurdish Arts and Tradition Motion (TEV-ÇAND) issued a commentary honoring his existence and legacy. In a commentary on Wednesday, the group described Hozan Serhad as an emblem of resistance towards assimilation insurance policies directed at Kurdish society and praised his inventive legacy as one who continues to form the Kurdish song and cultural motion to at the present time.
From kid megastar to artist of cultural resistance
TEV-ÇAND paid tribute to Hozan Serhad and all cultural staff who misplaced their lives within the Kurdistan freedom fight. The group positioned Hozan Serhad’s existence tale inside the context of the intensified assimilation insurance policies imposed at the Kurdish inhabitants following the army coup of September 12, 1980. TEV-ÇAND recalled that youngsters and younger folks have been systematically alienated from their language, id, and society thru tradition, sports activities, and the humanities right through this era.
Hozan Serhad grew up beneath those prerequisites. As a kid, he to begin with carried out beneath the Turkish identify “Murat Esen” and launched an album the use of that identify. Later, he consciously selected the identify Serhad—a choice that TEV-ÇAND describes as a ruin from assimilation insurance policies and a go back to his personal id.
“The struggle for freedom proved stronger than assimilation. The young Süleyman became Serhad.”
Killed by means of the Turkish military
Whilst learning on the conservatory in İzmir, Hozan Serhad encountered the Kurdish freedom motion within the early Nineteen Nineties. In a while in a while, he joined the motion at the side of his spouse, Yıldız. After wearing out cultural paintings within the Center East and Europe, he returned to Kurdistan in 1996. He to begin with endured his inventive actions within the towns ahead of later rejoining the guerrilla forces within the mountains.
On July 22, 1999, he used to be wounded right through an ambush in Botan and fell into the fingers of Turkish squaddies. He used to be shot and thrown from a helicopter. His stays have by no means been discovered.
Song as an expression of id and freedom
TEV-ÇAND identified that Hozan Serhad represents a era of Kurdish artists who seen song no longer most effective as a cultural expression but additionally as an very important a part of the fight towards assimilation: “He developed a distinctive musical style that combined traditional Kurdish sounds with a commitment to preserving language, history, and identity. His influence extends far beyond his own artistic work.”
His legacy continues to encourage
“With his unique style, Hozan Serhad became a school of the saz in his own right. Hundreds of Kurdish young people became students of his art, even though many never had the chance to meet him personally.”
TEV-ÇAND emphasised that Hozan Serhad’s cultural legacy stays alive as of late, announcing: “His life demonstrates that assimilation policies can be overcome not only politically but also culturally. Art has the power to preserve identity, strengthen collective memory, and sustain social resistance.”
The group concluded its commentary by means of reaffirming its trust that the legacy of Hozan Serhad, at the side of all artists who misplaced their lives within the cultural fight for freedom, will proceed to encourage the pursuit of a democratic and unfastened society.
