The body of artist Ayşe Şan, who was brought to Diyarbakır after 29 years with the support of Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality, was taken from the airport with the participation of Co-Chairs Serra Bucak and Doğan Hatun and buried in a ceremony held in Yeniköy Cemetery. The Metropolitan Municipality Co-Chairs stated that they will take the same initiative for all artists whose bodies are not in the land of their birth.
The body of Ayşe Şan, known as the “Uncrowned Queen” of Kurdish music, was brought to her hometown of Diyarbakır 29 years after her death. Ayşe Şan, who lost her life in İzmir on December 18, 1996, was welcomed at Diyarbakır Airport Gate A by her family, Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayors Serra Bucak and Doğan Hatun, Van Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayor Neslihan Şedal, who was dismissed by the decision of the Ministry of Interior and replaced by a trustee, district municipality co-mayors, and Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) Diyarbakır MP Serhat Eren and political representatives.
Moved to the burial site led by women
The body, brought from the airport to Yeniköy Cemetery, was carried to the burial ground under the leadership of Co-President Serra Bucak and women. The burial and commemoration ceremony held at Yeniköy Cemetery was attended by the Co-Presidents, politicians, those active in the field of culture and art, and hundreds of people. Şan's coffin was carried on the shoulders of the Co-Presidents and citizens to the cemetery.
Following the burial of Şan's body, Şan's kilam was sung at his graveside. Then flowers were laid on Şan's grave.
'It is now entrusted to the Kurds'
Speaking at the commemoration ceremony, Ayşe Şan's son Murat Kersen thanked everyone and said that Şan was now entrusted to the Kurds and her fellow countrymen.
'He experienced a lot of exile and pain'
Şan's family friend Yüksel Avşar also pointed out that everyone contributed to bringing the body, saying, "This was the people's wish, now we have given it to its mother, the Kurdish people will take care of it as if it were their own heart and conscience. I wish we had brought it 30 years ago, it went through a lot of exile and pain."
Co-President Bucak: Work has been carried out since 2007
Speaking at the commemoration, Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayor Serra Bucak drew attention to the fact that Şan's family and the Kurdish Women's Union Platform have been carrying out this work since 2007, and said, "We will take care of her grave, she is now in her home, in her country, in her homeland. For this reason, we are very honored and proud."
Co-President Bucak concluded his speech with the lyrics of a song sung by Şan.
Co-Chair Hatun: Ayşe Şan came to the land of her birth
Co-Mayor of the Metropolitan Municipality Doğan stated that Ayşe Şan was brought to her birthplace and said, “Her visit is over, she has come to her birthplace. We promise; we will bring the remains of all our artists whose bodies are not here to their own lands. The 29-year longing is over. We thank everyone on behalf of our people. From now on, we will fulfill the will of other artists.”
