Magin_Edward-thesis

17
The publication of magazines in Kurdish also appeared during this period,
supporting the growing desire of Kurds to write poetic and narrative essays, short stories
and historical fiction in their own language. In spite of many great hardships, Kurdish
literature thrived during this period (Blau 1996:23). As Blau (1996:23) writes, “The
subject matter of the new writing developed dynamically to deal with social concerns
such as women’s issues, education and the family, or the struggle against injustice and
the exploitation of peasants.”
The new Iranian regime employed a policy similar to that of Turkey and forbade
all publications in Kurdish. There was, however, a short time of freedom for Kurdish
literature, from December 1945- December 1946, after the Republic of Kurdistan (also
known as the Republic of Mahabad) was formed in December of 1945. “Kurdish writers
and poets were honored and Kurdish became the official language within the republic”
(Blau 1996:24). During this time a daily newspaper was published as well as a monthly
magazine, textbooks, and a children’s periodical. After its demise, many intellectuals
fled, mostly to Iraq (Blau 1996:24).
2.1.3 1960-1980
In Turkey, the new constitution of 1961 provided Kurds some freedoms which
allowed Kurds to explore their Kurdish identity. Over a period of seven years, some
collections of Turkish and Kurdish literature were produced, including Mûsa Anter’s
(1920-1992) Birîna Reş, ‘The Black Wound’ (1965). Anter was sent to prison for several
years for his publications and was eventually killed in Diyarbakir in 1992. In 1968 Xanî’s
( 2.1.1.1) Mem û Zîn was translated into Turkish by M. Emîn Bozarslan, who was
imprisoned for publishing the book. From 1967 on, “no significant works” in Kurdish
were published in Turkey until the 1990s (Kreyenbroek 2005).
In Iraq, the 1960s were filled with changes in government policies that stripped
Kurdish liberties. All publications in Kurdish were banned, and the rest of the decade was
filled with fighting and times of ceasefire and truce. Not until the 1970s did Kurds in Iraq
once again experience freedom that allowed for personal expression. It was during this