ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Exiled Kurdish band Koma Amed held their first major concert in 30 years in Diyarbakir (Amed), the Kurdish-majority city in southeast Turkey on Saturday, drawing tens of thousands of attendees to the reunion.
Zana, a 25-year-old attendee, told Rudaw “Koma Amed is older than I am. I grew up listening to their music. I came here for their ideas and the emotions they evoke. My favorite song is Kulilka Azadi [Flower of Freedom].”
Formed by Kurdish students in Ankara in 1988, Koma Amed became a key voice for Kurdish culture during a period when the language was banned. Their music, including the 1997 album Dergus, became a symbol of resistance for a generation. The band was effectively disbanded in the early 2000s, with several members forced into exile in Europe amid political pressure.
Another fan, Merve, held a sign reading, “I am 26 years old and I have been waiting for tonight for 30 years.” She told Rudaw, “Even before I was born, I had been waiting for this concert.”
Helime, another attendee, said, “It has been 30 years since they left for Germany, and now they’re back. It was amazing.” Similarly, Dicle Dalgic expressed hope that Koma Amed would hold such concerts “across all parts of Kurdistan.”
On Friday, the band met fans at an autograph session at Amed Store, a popular hub for supporters of the city’s football team, Amedspor.
“Honestly, we had never held a concert in Amed before. Our group had become like a part of exile. After 30 years, we’ve come together again, and we’ll sing our songs here with our people,” said band member Ahmet.
Another member, Serhat, added, “As you can see, there’s great excitement. It has been 30 years since Koma Amed was formed, but this is the first time all of us are together in Amed. We’re deeply grateful to the people of Amed and the municipality for their warm welcome.”
Mehmet, another band member, said, “Maybe in a few days I’ll realize that this is real and be able to feel it. I still can’t believe this day has come.”
Sileman highlighted his love for his homeland. “I hope no one ever has to stay away from their homeland again. A person should never lose the feeling of belonging to their own land. Amed is very important to us,” the band member said.
The head of Diyarbakir’s culture department, Zeynep Yas, expressed hope that more Kurdish artists will follow suit. “I hope this process of peace and tranquility encourages all our artists to return to their homeland,” she said.
The concert was hosted by the Diyarbakir Metropolitan and Kayapinar municipalities.
Serra Bucak, co-chair of the Diyarbakir Metropolitan Municipality, told local media that Koma Amed, “After 30 years, they are in their home, on their land. We hope this becomes an occasion for democracy, unity, and peace.”