The parade in Mardin Last year there was a parade in Mardin organized by famous designer Cemil peki and

the Mardin Governer s Office. The parade was part of a project to design and produce attire based on the region s traditional designs and patterns. However there was a debate about the parade because it would be hold at Kasimiye Medrese which is a historical and relagious place. Therefore some locals and civil society organizations had opposed the parade to have been held at Kasimiye Medrese. They thought that it offended cultural and religious values of local people and tehir traditions. I do not agree with those who was opponent to the parade because the design and fashion of dresses were traditional and the madrasa is not mosque. To begin with the fashion of dresses exhibited, they were all traditional. If it had been an underwear parade it would have been disrespect but it was not. Secondly, the madrasa is not a mosque and it is not used as a madrasa now, it is just a historical placa. Moreover, there was some other organizations before, for example a religious Tasavvuf Music and Church Choir Concert , two art exhibitions hosted as part of the Mardin Biennial, another tasavvuf music concert with a whirling dervishes performance, a concert by the stanbul State Symphony Orchestra and film screenings as part of the SineMardin Film Festival. To sum up, the parade was not offending. Moreover, it made Mardi n well known and the earnings from the show used to support a school in the region, and aroun d 50 women in the region were employed through the project.

Hseyin AY Section: 14