Hunergeha Welat, a cultural centre based in North and East Syria, have unveiled a captivating music video titled Li Qamişlo Li Ber Derî (In Front of the Door in Qamishli). Known for their striking music videos, this latest release highlights the multiculturalism prevalent in the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), delivering a delightful and touching message.
The music video of the song, written by Şêro Hindê and Mehmûd Berazî, was brought to life through the collaborative efforts of Şêro Hindê and Îbrahîm Feqe.
The Hunergeha Welat music community has been actively engaging in cultural and artistic endeavours within the AANES and have amassed a substantial following, with their YouTube videos garnering over 70 million views.
Creator Îbrahîm Feqe recently provided insights on Hunergeha Welat’s works, art, culture, and struggle in an interview with Medya News.
Can you provide insights into the cultural and historical references found in the song? What are the symbolic meanings behind the lyrics?
Our songs serve as a shield, protecting and preserving the narrative of Kurdish culture. Culture represents the way of life of a society, and we express it through a vivid palette of symbolic colours, including music, lyrics, harmony, and melody. Our work blends elements such as doors, houses, neighbourhoods, and people, illustrating the cultural and historical context of society, particularly from the 1980s to the 90s. It serves as a reminder of those times and evokes nostalgia. The song portrays the people, social life, and relationships of that era, as well as capturing the love stories and city life of the time.
Could you elaborate on the references in the song such as America, Moscow, Rome, and Paris?
Regarding the references to America, Moscow, Rome, and Paris in the song, it’s important to consider the connection between ancient Eastern societies and contemporary humanity. We wanted to explore how these connections bring together people living in different places. We aimed to depict the interaction between neighbourhoods like Aşêboz and Hilkê with distant societies, emphasising the cultural exchange and warmth in social interactions.
Your music videos always captivate with their storytelling. Could you share the challenges you encountered during the creation and production of these videos?
In Rojava, there was a lack of art workshops and academies in the past, which has led to challenges in terms of specialization and production within our teams. However, we are striving to overcome these difficulties and develop expertise in the field of art using our own resources.
How significant are poetry and storytelling in Kurdish music? What role do songs play in preserving and expressing Kurdish culture?
Poetry and storytelling are the foundation of our music. In other words, music would be incomplete without elements such as poetry, lyrics, stories, and memories. When we approach a song, we consider it as the fusion of poetry and storytelling with music, transforming it into a comprehensive artistic work. This is how our songs are born. Poetry and storytelling provide the essence, encompassing various aspects such as geography, people, landscapes, nature, animals, and society’s way of life. We have crafted our artistic works within this framework.
What would you say is the overall message or theme of your works?
We embrace an artistic approach that places culture at its core. Through our creations, we not only produce music but also safeguard our culture. We believe that this is an effective way to protect and preserve our heritage. It also serves as a means to counteract art that is cheesy and disconnected from its own cultural roots.
