‘Pargin’ is the name given by Kurdish nomads (koçers) to the canal that protects their tents from water. And because their tents’ safety is so critically important for them, it is not just a simple canal for the Kurdish nomads. They have even named their culture centre in the city of Derik, north east Syria with the name “Pargin.” too. Kocers aim is to live their culture with these Pargins.
In Pargin they sing dengbej songs, perform traditional Kurdish folk dance ‘govend’ and play Kurdish traditional instruments.
Pargini cultural group repaired the houses in the village of Besta Sus of Derik, where no one was living, and turned them into the cultural centre. One of the executives of the Pargin Culture Centre Mamoste Ibrahim speaks about the importance of Pargin for them
“Pargin symbolizes our art. The traditions and cultures of people in the region are presented in here”
Founder of Pargin Culture Centre and also a film director Şero Hindi underlines that their aim is to bring locals to the centre.
“Instead of people who are not from the region but produce art works about here, we want the locals to reproduce their own culture. For instance wherever we establish Pargin, we want people of that region to take part in it”
Rojda Hisen one of the visitors to Pargin agrees with him and also adds about the importance of the centre for women in the region.
“Many women work in Pargin and it is a great success. Here, Pargin provides a space for women to produce their art work and improve themselves”
