ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Koma Amed will perform in Diyarbakir (Amed in Kurdish), Turkey on Saturday for the first time after 30 years of exile. The music group met their fans at an autograph session at Amed Store, the go-to place for supporters of the city’s football team Amedspor.
“Honestly, we had never held a concert in Amed before. Our group had become like a part of exile. After 30 years, we’ve come together again, and we’ll sing our songs here with our people,” Ahmet told Rudaw on Friday.
Koma Amed was formed in 1988. Their first album, Kulilka Azadi (The Flower of Freedom), was released in secret because at that time Kurdish language was forbidden in Turkey.
“As you can see, there’s great excitement. It’s been 30 years since Koma Amed was formed, but this is the first time all of us are together in Amed. Tomorrow evening we’ll have our concert. We’re deeply grateful to the people of Amed and the municipality for their warm welcome,” said Serhat.
“Maybe in a few days I’ll realize that this is real and be able to feel it. I still can’t believe this day has come,” said Mehmet, another member of the group.
Band member Sileman highlighted his love for his homeland. “I hope no one ever has to stay away from their homeland again. A person should never lose the feeling of belonging to their own land. Amed is very important to us,” he said.
The head of Diyarbakir’s culture department, Zeynep Yas, expressed hope that more Kurdish artists will follow suit. “I hope this process of peace and tranquility encourages all our artists to return to their homeland,” she said.
Abdulselam Akinci contributed to this report.
