The Mesopotamia Cultural Centre (MKM) celebrated its 27th anniversary in Turkey with an event in its new centre, located in Taksim in İstanbul.

Various cultural organizations and foundations attended the event. Only speeches were made due to the Covid-19 restrictions.

Genim İldan, one of MKM’s artists, spoke at the event. İldan said that MKM has been subjected to assaults and suppression during its existence and added that the government seized the building they were using for eighteen years. However, İlhan pointed out that they have opened the new centre and continue with their activities.

The Istanbul Kurdish Institute, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), the Kurdish Studies Foundation, and Istanbul Peace Mothers Initiative were among the organizations that shared a message of celebration and support for the MKM.

MKM building seized

The previous MKM centre in Beyoğlu Taksim had been seized on 20 August. Despite the MKM having a contract for the centre, the General Directorate for Foundations put the MKM building out to tender three times. As a result of the tender process, the MKM building was assigned to the district governorship of Beyoğlu.