Excitement is building in Diyarbakır (Amed) and Van (Wan), the two most populated Kurdish majority cities in east and south-east Turkey, as thousands prepare to gather for the public broadcast of imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan’s much-anticipated historic call at 17:00 TRT (15:00 CET) today.
Large LED screens have been installed in city squares, with final preparations ongoing at Şêx Seîd Square in Diyarbakır and Kent Square in Van, where tens of thousands are expected to attend. In anticipation of the announcement, people from surrounding Kurdish-majority regions have begun their journey to Diyarbakır, expressing their eagerness to witness what they describe as a historic moment.
Qada Şêx Seîd (Deriyê Çiyê) tê amadekirin, ekranên mezin tên danîn.#Amed pic.twitter.com/rBzOIkLTGV
— Bilal Güldem (@BilalGuldem) February 27, 2025
Groups from Şırnak (Şirnex), and the larger Botan region, and other Kurdish towns have set off towards Diyarbakır. Among them is Hatice Durmuş, a Peace Mother from Cizîr (Cizre), who expressed her deep anticipation:
"We are heading to Amed for Mr Abdullah Öcalan's message. We wish he could be physically present among us. We are eagerly awaiting his words, hoping for a positive message. We long for peace."
Similarly, another person described the event as historic:
“Today is a crucial day. The people of Turkey demand peace. What Mr Öcalan has to say is of great significance to us. We are all waiting for his message with excitement, which is why we are heading to Amed.”
The convoys heading to Diyarbakır include families of political prisoners, people who lost loved ones during past curfews, and supporters from across the region, all making the journey amid an atmosphere of hope and enthusiasm, accompanied by traditional Kurdish klams (songs) and zılgıts (ululations).
In Diyarbakır’s Şêx Seîd Square, final arrangements are being made for the mass gathering. Meanwhile, in Van, where snowfall has been ongoing since yesterday, municipal teams have been working to clear up to 30 cm of snow from Kent Square, ensuring accessibility for thousands expected to attend the event.
Sound systems and additional LED screens are being installed, and entry to the gathering areas will begin at 16:00 local time. Authorities have confirmed that all necessary permissions have been secured, and tens of thousands are expected to be in attendance by 17:00.
The statement from Öcalan will be publicly broadcast not only in Diyarbakır and Van but also in Mersin, where large LED screens have been set up for live coverage.
As the clock counts down to Öcalan’s historic call, the atmosphere in Kurdish cities is charged with anticipation, with many hoping this message will mark a significant step towards peace.
