Kurdish youth from various parts of Europe will gather in Cologne in early September for a joint action in support of democracy, peace, and freedom. The demonstration, scheduled for September 4, will place particular emphasis on the demand for the physical freedom of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan.
According to the organizing committee, the event also aims to draw attention to the process for peace and democratic society and to the role of young people in its further development. The organizers emphasize the importance of youth as a driving social force in political transformation.
Central demand: Freedom for Öcalan
The organizing committee describes Abdullah Öcalan’s physical freedom as one of the key prerequisites for advancing the peace and democratization process. Against this backdrop, the gathering in Cologne aims to publicly highlight the demands for democracy, peace, and freedom.
Young people traveling from various European cities will gather on Thursday, September 3, at 2:00 p.m. in Cologne-Ehrenfeld, where joint preparations will take place for the following day’s action. The main demonstration will begin on Friday, September 4, at 9:00 a.m. in front of Cologne Cathedral. The organizing committee is calling not only on young people but also on the Kurdish community and supporters to take part in the action.
From Cologne to the Kurdish Cultural Festival in Dortmund
Following the demonstration in Cologne, participants will travel to Dortmund on Saturday, September 5, to attend the 34th International Kurdish Cultural Festival. The three-day gathering will therefore combine political action with cultural exchange among the Kurdish diaspora in Europe.