Most recent articles by Sonja Galler
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Interview with Kurdish author Bachtyar Ali"I only exist where my words take flight"
Among Kurds, Bachtyar Ali has long been a celebrated author. In Germany, he shot to fame when ″Der letzte Granatapfel″ (The Last Pomegranate) was published. Recently, "Die Stadt der weißen Musiker" (The City of White Musicians), the second of his novels to be translated into German, was released. Interview by Sonja Galler
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Ruhrorter art and theatre collectiveHolding the impossible
The art and theatre collective ″Ruhrorter″ in Mulheim, under the direction of Adem Kostereli, has already been working with refugees for five years. Their current project, ″Ich hielt in meinen Armen das Unmogliche″ (I held the impossible in my arms), explores themes of memory, loss and the limits of what words can express. By Sonja Galler
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The Kurdish football club Amedspor"Disciplinary measures are unfortunately part of our team identity"
Despite fielding a succession of repressive measures, the Third-League club Amedspor from Diyarbakir is clocking up the sporting victories. For Kurdish fans from Istanbul to Hakkari, the team represents a beacon of hope in difficult times. By Sonja Galler
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"Stranded. Refugees between Syria and Europe"Forever in transit
For his reportage "Stranded. Refugees Between Syria and Europe" the writer Tayfun Guttstadt travelled to the cities of Turkey and along the Turkish-Syrian border. In conversation with Sonja Galler, he talks about the precarious situation faced by Syrian refugees, their legal status and Turkey′s lack of any kind of integration concept
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Kurdish artists in Diyarbakir"No room to breathe anymore"
Ever since the Erdogan regime began its crackdown on Kurdish cities and opposition politicians, numerous cultural professionals in the east of the country have felt the noose of repression tightening around them too. By Sonja Galler in Diyarbakir
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Turkey′s repression of Kurdish mediaNo holds barred
The working conditions for Kurdish journalists in Turkey have always been difficult. But since the failed coup attempt in July this year, their work is being hindered in an alarming manner. By Sonja Galler in Diyarbakir
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Kurdish film-maker Ali Kemal CinarThe power of tenacity
The Kurdish filmmaker Ali Kemal Cinar from Diyarbakir caused a small sensation when his zero-budget production "Vesarti (Hidden)" won him the 2016 Most Inspiring Director of the Year award at the !f Independent Film Festival in Istanbul. With his experimental, absurdly comic films, Cinar represents a new way of thinking in Kurdish filmmaking. By Sonja Galler
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Diyarbakir and the Turkish military offensiveThe spoils of urban warfare
The Turkish military operation brought death and destruction to the historic heart of Diyarbakir. Now, there has been a sudden decision to nationalise the neighbourhood – sounding alarm bells for its historic legacy. By Sonja Galler
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Kurdish Language Studies in TurkeyA Radical Change in Quiet Stages
The walls may be ancient, but the students are young: the Zinciriye Madrasa in Mardin already offers a Masters in Kurdish Language and Culture and is now to start offering a Bachelors programme. It's a quiet but remarkable change in the Turkish university system. Sonja Galler reports