We won't die

the dog's death

Mamoste Dîn

1
ISBN 978-2-9572458-2-6

Plagiat Editions
To understand the recomposition of Lavrio refugee camp in the 1880’s, we need to put this into the wider
context of Kurd migrations and the PKK setting-up in Europe. From the 1960’s until the 1980’s, there are no
statistics provided for Kurd migrants, who are not distinguished fom Turkish workers fleeing to Western Eu-
rope countries to be employed as temporary workforce, especially for the rebuilding of West Germany after the
war.
These migrations are organised by interpersonal networks of relatives, tribal groups, villages or activist links.
In the 1980’s, different changes can be observed within these migrations, in close link to the political Turkish
context. During the 70’s many clashes take place between the radical left - fragmented between revolutionary
Turkish or Kurd groups ( among which emerging PKK) - and the ultra-nationalist armed Grey Wolves, close
to the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) of colonel Turkes. Colonel Kenan Evren’s coup d’etat (12.10.80) puts
an end to the violence. A kind of « white terror » prevails, left groups and Kurdish identity are considered as
« pathologies needing to be cured » (Bozarslan 2009)
A state of emergency is declared with repression, mass waves of arrests, killings and torture, hundred thousand
imprisoned persons.This military regime puts a stop to all political activities in Kurdistan, causing thousands of
Turkish and Kurd leftist radicals to flee. Some of them join their organisations based in Syria or in Palestinian
camps, where they are trained in exchange for support to the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO). The
PKK sets up base camps in the Beeka valley where they develop a strategy of armed comeback in Turkey (im-
plemented from 1984). Other Turkish and Kurd activists emigrate to Western Europe, first « people with more
capital opportunites and militant networks, such as Trotskystes » (Cormier 2017), then more and more exiles.
Turkish political organisations, and then the Kurdish Movement, are on a process of transnationalization. The
PKK realizes that Kurd immigration can provide them opportunities outside Turkish state sovereignty, as well
as financial and human ressources, and the possibility of pressuring European governments.
But immigrates in Turkey encounter new identity, political and ethno-confessional splits. As new political
netwoks of solidarity have surfaced, social relations and political affiliations are increasingly complex. New
Kurd refugees are tending to differentiate from the Turks organizing themselves on « a process of community
cohesion » (Rigoni 1987), which leads to reconfigurate the Kurd community already present in Europe (Bozars-
lan 2009).
From 1981 Turkish and Kurd members of revolutionary organisations transiting through Greece have to live
together in Lavrio. The camp itself becomes the Greek stage of these political recompositions.

Agathe Bédard, Lavrio camp, crossroads of the Kurd migratory paths in Greece, 2018.

3
«It's no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society»
Jiddu Krishnamurti

5
 Chapter I
The visitors

Greece

6
The camp set up three rules,
which must be respected
inside it.

«TERMINUS»

The interdiction to use

any drugs and to keep any
weapons.

The obligation to live there

in order to participate in
community life

Here we
are.
7
 And last but not least, love
affairs are forbidden.

Did you have a

good trip ? Come and have tea,
we will discuss the
reasons for your visit.
Yes, thanks.

So, tell me,

what exactly
brings you
in our camp?

8
 I've been here before, some time ago.
Today, I come back as a reporter
and researcher in order to publish in
the newspaper XXX an article about
the camp and its functioning. I don't
want to put anyone here in danger by
publishing photographs.

She's here to Yeah, she wanted to

draw and she can Carving ? offer a carving and
That's why I came also engrave. printing workshop.
with a friend, Judith.
She's an illustrator.

A cigarette ?

9
10
 Here are some
Judith ? Oh no, thank linoleum sheets
you, I don't and some tools
smoke. I brought for the
carving workshop.

Interesting. I will
tell the people of the
camp. Can you begin
Tomorrow? Yes !

Jade, I'll begin to

carve now, it will
serve as an exemple
for tomorrow.
11
 And the man in green,
I didn't expect Jail helps... playing chess, is the
anyone here to only other one here
speak french. able to speak english.

Oh...? Jade ! Give

In this case, I will me your phone to
go chat with him. translate please!

12
 Me? no. But Judith
has been arrested,
been on trial, and she
has a police record.

OOOOOOOHHH ! I've only done a

few days
of cell
time!

Nothing to compare And political profiling is normal.

with what you must Every state criminalizes
have been through in opposition to capitalism.
Turkish prisons !

13
 And you ? I'm anarchist.
Are you... ?

Judith, I'm going to

sleep, are you coming? Sev bas. ..

Spas dikim !.

.Thanks a lot ! ..Good night.

How many are we in

the room ?

Only us and a pregnant woman.

14
15
 Chapter II
The women

France

16
 A week ago, in Jaurès, there She required the assembly to
was a mixed assembly about beat him.
feminism in a squat. At the
end of the meeting a woman
pointed a man and accused
him of fondling and of spying
children going to the toilet.

Men were asked to

leave, excepted for
the accused.

After a debate,
the women decided He was carried out
that the accused uncounscious.
should be beaten,
with bare hands,
only by women, in
their name.

17
18
You see, after the event I thought
about it a lot. The women knew
that filing a complaint was useless,
that they would never get justice,
moreover in this kind of situation.
And even if justice heard them, it
was manifest that using justice or
police to settle things would be
dangerous for everyone.

19
 Judges send people in
prison, jugdes who have
no actual knowledge of
what prison is, of what
is misery or illegality.
Had we used justice,
everything would have
been worse. Supposing
the man was condamned,
he would have been sent
to jail.

20
 And jail is far more
violent, alienating and
dangerous than just a beating.
In jail, they steal your time.

The cell is two meters by one.

Neon lights constantly light you
up and cameras constantly film
every move you make. With this
light, space and time lose their
meaning.

If you put someone in jail,

you lock up their entire family.
How can anyone think that
there is anything good in
prison !

21
 Chapter III
The madwoman

Greece

22
Six am

23
24
 Perhaps between
You're kurdish 350 and 400.
right ? Coming They come from
from Bakur ? Iraq, Syria and
How many people Iran.
are there in the
camp right now?

The responsables of
the camp are inviting
Is your friend asocial ? us for lunch, we have
Why isn't she coming ? to go now.

She's drawing. Hey,

Judith, show us your
sketches!

Do your drawings come Between

from dreams or reality ? both.

25
 !?

Their comings It's the volta, a habit

and goings from prison, they all
intrigue you? do this in the camp,
at the same time that
it was planned in jail.

26
 The letters must
be written like in
a mirror. Or they
will be upside down Mamoste, Mamoste!.
when printed. Listen to my phone !
«I don't know
what to draw.»

.Professor
«There must «The road. I was
be something, a truck driver.
perhaps a Until I had an Aie! Mamoste!
memory.» accident..»
I'll find the
doctor at the
clinic !

AIIIEE!!

27
 Mamoste ?!

Bijîsk! .

.Doctor

Someone has Hehe, Te ew çawa kîr ?

hurt himself !
Bi wê !

I follow
you.

So, you're working here Yep, you want to

with them ? come and try ?

28
 I'm giving the printings to This one with the woman
Hey Mamoste ! their authors, but I don't is from Kenan, this one
What are you know everyone's name, with the road from Mervan
doing? could you help me ? and this one for me !
Tu dîn î Bijîsk !
It's not yours !
Give
me !

.you're crazy doctor!

29
 Can you speak
kurdish now ?

Come have
a cup of tea
with me.

Since you wanted a I engraved it in the café Thank you.

printing, take this one the other day, from this It's beautiful.
I made. table.

30
 The woman you drew, from this
portait between the two men,
is a martyr. She was the first
person to commit a suicide
bombing in a police station.
elle a écrit une lettre avant à

Before that, she had sent a letter

to Apo, to know his opinion on this
kind of acts. He answered that he
was against her sacrifice. But she
did it.

31
You asked me what A democracy
were my politicals without state.
opinions, and I Where the
simply said anar- population
chist. But I'm also self-administers
a feminist and an on a local scale.
ecologist. You see, People organise
in the camp we are different assemblies
under democratic according to what
confederalism. they do and who
they are. And so
on, up until a more
global organisation.

We organise everything with

everybody. Our rules, our
environnement, our needs,
our work, and so our whole Yes, your life fully
lifes. We are not alienated. belongs to you.

Self-organisation of our lives, by ourselves, is

so much forbidden, that it's impossible to build In other words consumption,
enduring happiness. And to prevent everyone social networks, porn,...
from going crazy, society has replaced built Bijîsk, you are doctor, what
pleasure by instant enjoyment. do you think about madness ?
Because I think there would
be less crazy people if
society wasn't fucked up.

32
Chapter IV
The friends

France

33
 For some time, my feelings had
changed : the anxious expectation
of the fight had become
excitement.

34
 And the fear of action
had been replaced by
calmness and preparation.
I'm no longer afraid to be
arrested or beaten up.

35
 If you move, I'll blow
your brains out !

STRIKE !!! We
got the flag !!

36
 Quick ! Come
here !

She got Oh shit, she'll end up in

busted ! jail this time !

Where's Bolo?

37
You're a student ! You're Do you know
neither a stranger nor a what solidarity Whatever, you're not a
worker. Demonstrations are means? demonstrator but a black
not your concern ! block ! Sluts like you should
get the death penalty !

Did you see our colleague

earlier ? He was pretty
skilled ! He got hit by Who are you
a stone, so he shot the looking at ?
guy right in the head When attacked,
with his flashball ! don't you fight
back too ?

38
 They're so fucking mad !
They have no understanding
of the balance of power !
They have armors, shields,
grenades, their testimony
makes law.

They are legally untouchable, with It's normal though, because we're the bad guys.
their joker named «contempt of At least, the cops know that the presumption of
agent» ! And they never get it, innocence doesn't really exist. This is the
can't they see that people in front hypocrisy of the justice system.
of them are putting their freedom
and their lives in line for a reason
?

Every cop tells you that if you're here,

in a cell, you must have done something
wrong. Justice claims to have to prove
your guilt, but the trials show the
opposite !

39
 That's the What
Stalinist side do you
of justice! mean ?

A prosecutor from Tsheliabinsk

In the USSR, in 1964, there was a
controversy : a law professor from
Moscow, Strogovitch, thought that
until a defendant was found guilty, they
should be treated like an innocent.
objected that « If the accused
was held innocent until the
trial, the public prosecution
would appear to be an absurd
institution charged with
persecuting innocent people...»

Hahaha

Yeah, but listen, we

why I was taking a selfie I didn't see overturned a police
were you the cops coming. truck, something you
arrested ? only do once in your
life !

Seriously ?!

40
Hey, do you want
to eat ? Here's a It's coming from Teddy, did you
tip, it's gross ! an other cell. note how many
grenades were
used?

Quiet

Your food ! I warn

Clang You're no longer you : today it's even
in the ghetto, in more shitty.
Paris you can't
do whatever you
want !

We can hear
everything
from our cell !

Clang

Oh shit I
forgot ! Hey guys ! I told him
that today the food
was even worse !
It's like psychological
torture !

So that he'll doubt It will be

and guess maybe I long !
did something !

41
 High court... OOOOOOOOHHHH OOOOHHHHHHHH
so I'm going HAAAAAAA !!! AAAAAAAA !!!
to trial. Set meeee OOOOOOHHHHHH
frreeeeeee !!! HAAAAAAA !!!

OOOOOOOOOOHH Set meeee OOOOOHHHHHHA

HHHAAAAA !!! frreeeeeee !!!!! AAAAAAAA !!!
Set me Set meeeeee Set meeeeee
frreeeeeee !!!! frrreeeee !!! frrreeeee !!!

But what the fuck

is this !?

42
 Wake up! OOOOOOOHHHHHH Hahaha come on,
You'll see the HHHHAAAAAA !!! cut your bullshit!
magistrate.

HAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHA

When I told to a friend this story of the cop yelling

behind his cameras to keep us awake, he answered
me: « Unconsciously, he was screaming for himself. »

43
 Chapitre V
Heval

Greece

44
 How long have you been awake ?
Roj bas. . Roj bas. Would you like to come at the
engraving workshop ?

.Hello.
I've been up all night, it's my
shift. Why not, are you a
teacher in France ?
No, I work for myself,
I'm a painter. I used to be a history
and kurdish teacher in
prison.

45
 When did you wake up ?
Around
Hello six am,
Jade ! I think.

Hey Judith,
Hi Dîrok !

Again ?! Be careful, you're Hmm

only sleeping three hours Hmm
each night, you'll be
exhausted !

Today is the women's

assembly. I think I'll
go, do you want to
come ?

How to organise the

I can't, I'm camp, the rules etc.
planning another And above all they
workshop . must elect a woman
supervisor for this
year.

Not everyone has been

able to participate, and
there are still enough
sheets. What will they
discuss ?

46
 There is no limit
to the number of
supervisors, but no
woman has wanted
to be chosen for
several months.
Which is a problem. Because It would be cool
the women's assembly, like if some women
the young's assembly, has a came to engrave.
right to veto.

Currently, and unlike during my last

visit, the majority of women here are
not guerrillas or executives on the run
because of their political convictions.

But they came with their

family.

Even if here Roj bas Jade.

everybody is looking
after everyone's
children, parents still
have to work outside
and they don't have
so much time for
themselves !

47
 Roj bas Roj bas !
Mamoste dîn !

Ez basim,
Tu çawa yî ? . spas. ..

.Helle crazy professor ! ..Hello !

How are you ? I'm good thanks.

I just checked
Instagram. One of
He Judith ! the supervisors
of the camp had
invited us to eat
last night.

As I had not seen, I didn't

answer and I think he's mad at
us now.

Shit ! Why do you think

that ?

48
 Here,
When I met him in the some tea.
courtyard, he ignored
me !
Thank
you !

Ah ...

Do you mind
me recording you I'm not a good
singing ? I do it singer... But as you
with everyone in want... I'd prefer to
the camp. do that in the clinic
though !

Come in.

49
 Hevala Mamosté Ax ^u eman
dîn ^u Jade.

^ ^
Ci dinyake puç u vala
Ax eman, eman eman
Ax eman, eman eman
Ax ^u eman
Ês ^u derdê vê dinyayê
Cendî ez kustim
Cendî ez kirime vê
belayê

Ne silavek ne
dinêrî
Birîndar kirim Ax eman, eman
Ez pîr kirim vê eman
zeriyê Ax eman, eman
Hisê min dibir eman
Gava ew çu^ wê
bêriyê

Evîndar im
Dîtina te ji min re keder e
Hêvîdar im
Dilê min tu bibî ji xwe re
Evîndar im

Bêje were derman ji

te re
Ax eman, eman eman
Ax eman, eman eman

50
 I'm drawing Dîrok, He
asked me to make his
portrait.

What are
you doing?
51
 He's
sleeping.

Draw me !

There you go !
You just need Thanks. Is
to engrave it . that me ?

I actually look way Hahaha

better ! hahaha

52
 Now ? I'm No.
seven months My Husband is I'll try to
pregnant ! in Germany, but join him
I was returned again.
to Greece.

Are you alone ?

Isn't it too
hard?

Mamoste Actually, I was thinking about going In this case I'm

dîn, people to the old ruins at the top of the hill. coming with you.
are going to Wait here, I wil
the port, do ask someone to
you want to come with us.
come ? I can't go
alone with
you

53
 Ez ê bimesim. Ez ê di nav
saetekê de vegerim. OK

Oh ! what a
guerillera!

Can you
climb that ?

Yep, look !

Go ! Make fun

of me ! I don't
care

54
 With those clothes you're wearing, you remind Why didn't you do it?
me of our guerilleras fighting in the mountains.
I've always dreamed to go there like them.

So I was told to Then I was arrested for the first time, I

I was stay, I'd be more managed to escape and to come back under a
studying useful in town. new identity. Then I dated this woman.
medecine.
Wasn't it
forbidden ?

No, at that time I wasn't yet

a cadre. But this woman was a Why do you say she
fascist, it didn't work for a long was a fascist?
time.

55
 One day I visited her, and
guess what ? I saw a family
picture and discovered that
her father was a colonel from
the turkish army !

Really ? On the other

hand, you couldn't
find a better place to
hide! Haha !

Hahahaha !!!
Don't laugh at me!

But worse of all : when I ran

away the second time, she
sent me a text telling me to
come back, to accept my jail
sentence, and that she would
wait for me during those
eight years !

Oh ok.. Perhaps it was sent by his

father to catch you.

Then I was arrested

Later, I became again, tortured, and
in charge of the this time they broke
strategy of the my back.
urban guerilla in
Istanbul.

56
I fled once more with some
comrades from prison, and
since then taking up arms
hasn't been an option
anymore.

Would you like to settle in

Europe ?

No. I miss my mother,

and too many of my
friends died in this
struggle. I'd like to
go back where I come
from, no to keep
wandering in another
liberal and capitalist
country.

57
 One of my most important memories was when I had to

58
announce my departure to my mom. She was so worried.
And we both knew, at this moment, that she would be
worried until the end of her life. She wanted to come with me. We hid our car five kilometers away from the
town, to avoid the police. We took an illegal path, with racks, hidden by trees,
just the both of us ... until we got in town.
 We're communists
Seriously ? originally, we support all
By the way, I You follow the the workers' struggles.
wanted to show yellow jackets'
you something protests ?
heval. And of
course
the
yellow
Jackets.

Sorry !
Were you hurt ?
Be Show me !
careful !
My friend will
come back soon.
Let's get down !
Okey !

AAIIIEE !

Yes, here
my lips. ...

59
 Forget it... Anything else you It seems rational to forbid drugs ! Also because everybody
want to know ? Not only do they impair our knows that drugs are a
reaction and reasoning abilities, proven method to break
which is extremely dangerous political movements
There's a rule and revolts.
I don't in a guerrilla situation.
understand.
Drugs ? Well
you're french
after all !
Without
mentionning
dependance.
It's not
that!

The rule I question is the

prohibition of love affairs. You'll act out of love, and no
more for your ideals. Nothing
should be more important
than revolutionnary theory
and practice.
It's not love in itself
which is banned, but to be
in an actual relationship,
or to get married. It's
dangerous for our
political commitment.
Your love shouldn't be
more important than
your convictions.

I think the opposite. If I fight, I fight for

what I love : what's good in the world, my
friends, my lover and in the end for myself.

Having a relationship with someone in this capitalist

world is what drives me on struggle. I don't want to
end like all these ruined couples. I fight for, and with
those I love.
60
 I said « with », because after a
certain level of radicalisation of
both thinking and action, it's not
possible anymore to stay with
people far away from your
convictions. For example, if we
had an affair, and if then you
decided to go back to your
mountains to fight, I'd never be
able to convince you to stay. We
both know that what you're
fighting for encompasses.

And, if in France the struggle were

to become more serious, if I had to
take up arms, we both know all your
supplications would be useless.
What do you think?

...
I think
you're right.

61
 Chapter VI
The mother

France

62
 « He raised both hands and and twisted it there, twice. As his eyesight
spread out all his fingers, b failed, K. saw the two gentlemen cheek by
ut the hands of one of the cheek, close in front of his face, watching the
gentleman were laid on K.'s result. «Like a dog!» he said, ...» .
throat, while the other pushed
the knife deep into his heart

.The trial by Kafka

Good afternoon, So, is she ... yes. Very good ! Then
Allo ? it's Mrs H... from Hello. happy with she'll be glad, I
the Legion of her school ? have a surprise.
Honour ! Still having
good grades ? Come pick it up
at seven p.m. at
the Great
Chancellery.

It will be complicated,
I working till six ...
thirty p.m. Well, hurry then !
See you !

Bye !

63
 Here you are.
A little late...
Come, your gift
is upstairs.

Take them, they're all yours ! A few

Where is it ? ten euros gift vouchers for monoprix !
Oh, there. Happy ?

...
Wait a
minute !
Thanks. I should go
now.

There's no hurry, I'm

taking the opportunity
to introduce you to a
friend.

64

Véronique, this is the young
student with an unconventional
profile we spoke about.
She's the girl who refused to
study in an elite highschool
Pleased to meet you, of Paris, despite her
I'm the communication excellence, and chose to go
officer of the Legion. in a priority education zone
to learn drawing.

Good.

The Legion of Honour has

supported Judith for four
years now. She comes from a
poor family, you see.

Judith, every year we publish a booklet for the Your experience would be
sponsors, with some testimonies of the Legion's great, after all without But I refused those
sponsees. A profile like yours would be perfect. our support you could'nt highschools and made my
have done the choice you choices before I met you.
made. And I paint since I'm five.

...
These are just details ! By
the way, did she receive Of course ! So let's do
her gifts ? this ! Right ? As you
wish.

65
 Allo mom ? Yeah, with Vladimir,
we'll be there.
You sound strange ?
Are you eating at
home tonight ?
Yeah... because
I've been crying
so much at the
city hall.

But don't worry, they

agreed to give me three
hundred euros. I don't Will you shut up ! Don't you
understand ? have any pride ? You're
disgusting! Pathetic !

You know, this month I've

made very little money and
your father didn't even
make half as much. I didn't
have any other option... I
went to the city hall to
try to pity them and so
they...

66
 Chapter VII
The ancestors

Greece

67
 Roj bas. !?

Mamoste dîn ! You're

up already ?

Yep !
Yeah, we're going to
the market for our
room, with Masî. You
want to come ?
And you
too ?

68
 Kalimera !. One
kilo of pepper
please.

.Hello in greek

I'm not an
Arab !
Salamalekoum !

Hey,
Bijîsk ! Do you make meals per
room?
Mmmh ? Yeah, and sometimes
with other rooms. We're
lucky to have kitchens.

69
 Since we're an illegal camp, neither the
state nor any humanitarian organization
is trying to help us in terms of our needs.
Which allows us to be freer because we
are independent.

You should come

to lunch with us.
Wait, I will pay
too !

No way !

70
 whispering Haha ! What ?

Haha ! They say you're sitting

like our grandfathers
do.

Masî, Suna and Adar are siblings. Suna used to supervise a group. She's
twenty-
four, like
me.

Once, during a demonstration, they were Suna arrived and tackled

chased by cops. The police arrested one the cop up to help him. They
of her comrades and beat him up. managed to run away but
someone denounced her.

Tchai ?

Erê spas !

71
She went to jail and was later
released, but the trial was still
in progress. She was the first to flee and to arrive
in the camp. The result of the trial came
a few days after she arrived here. She
received a nine year sentence.

They also have another sister, but she

decided to stay, she's still
fighting in the mountains.

« Judith yes, but I came a

«Mamoste Dîn, Jade, is few years ago for
this your first time in the my research. »
camp ?»

Mamoste Dîn, would you like to

visit the ancient theater's ruins ?
I can show you !

Okay !
^
72
Hey Jade, I believe you're right. One ... it's annoying !
of the supervisors has got something
against us, he ignored me this morning
too... It's strange, he's the only one
who acts like that.

Oh, by the way, be careful,

when you went out last night
with Bijîsk, they asked me if
you were alone.

73
 It's this way. They're going to
buy some drinks.

Can I ask you Who is it ?

something ?

You sure ask a A mon with a big beard,

lot of questions ! who is a lot on
instagram !

I think there's a
supervisor who holds
a grudge against us Oh, this guy ! Don't
for not eating with worry about him, he
him once. Jade and acts like a child. He
I are worried we've thinks he's using
done something social media when
wrong. he's being used by
them.

74
 We chose him as a supervisor to force him
to be accountable, to be careful of what
he does or doesn't.

An idea of Ejgê, the man who

welcomed you ! He's very
reliable and smart!

Mamoste, you understood And I don't leave

how I felt about you, you indifferent,
didn't you? I can see it in
your eyes.

75
 Then why don't you
take any steps towards
me?

I could come to France, would

you wait for me ? It would make
It's dangerous for you, me happy !
there are rules... I'm
leaving tomorrow. And
I can't make any Don't come for me, I
promise. can't guarantee you
anything.

Do you have to
leave tomorrow ?
Yes. I'll leave
very late at HaHaHa! You've
night. got a stone heart
!

76
 Here they
come !

Binere min çi dît !

77
 Sêr used to fight in the
international brigades, he's « My sister's
very strong and very kind. still there ! »
Wêneyê xwe nîsanî
wî bide !

« How is the
struggle in France ...
going ?»
There are some very interesting
and serious people, but only a
minority. Most are pacifists and
wonder who they'll vote for.

78
 On the one hand they cheer Rosa Luxemburg,
Louise Michel, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther
King etc

And on the other hand they weep for the

broken storefronts, banks and cars... As if all
these struggles, which are now references of
equality and freedom had happened in a calm
and gentle way.

They believe in this definition of violence

learned by heart at school, and the list of those
she designates as enemies of democracy.

They accept in a very schizophrenic way to

masturbate on 1968, the Commune, feminism,
1936, the Popular Front, without realizing that all
these references have been emptied of substance
and rendered meaningless.

Where we come from, if you keep throwing

molotov cocktails after your thirteenth birthday,
you look ridiculous!

HAHAHA

HEHEHE

79
 Chapter VIII
The lovers

France

80
 I first came to the camp five years ago. Ahmet was the only one in all
the camp to speak english. He was also very charismatic. I wonder if all
the cadres are like that. Or perhaps is it the atmosphere of the camp:
mutual aid, generosity, the organization and the political consciousness
that create this aura.

Anyway, very quickly he

started flirting with me, at
least as discreetly as possible.
I wasn't sureto be interested.
And then, by dint of time and
attention, I ended up changing
my mind.

81
When it became serious, he confessed the truth to
the camp supervisor, for the sake of honesty. So
they transfered him in another city, but he didn't
have any other problem.

At that time, I didn't know that you

could go to jail for helping someone to
cross a border. Ahmet and I met at the
airport for a night flight.

82
83
We tried the best we could
to hide our anxiety. But
now, I think it was painted
on our faces.
Against all odds, we
managed to make it
through.
The next month, on the
same flight, a woman got
caught while helping a
minor to cross the border.
She was sentenced to two
years in jail.

Those borders we crossed together,

Ahmet and I split up
after two years, he lives
in Switzerland now. Since
then we write to each
other every day.
the camp, are such intense and true
situations... We're unable to stop
writing to each other. I miss the camp,
and it's worse for Ahmet. The life ...
I don't know, there, people concretely
organize their lives according
everyone. They act together, know
why and how. I miss everything.

84
Chapter IX
The dancers

Greece

85
 Mamoste dîn !
Still drawing ?

You know, I believe that the worst

thing here is time ! There's nothing to
do. Just like in prison. This permanent
and forced powerlessness is
unbearable. Endless boredom.

86
 Time is a burden. We can't do
anything because of our
illegality, we can't build
anything. I ran away and I
feel like a traitor because
some others continue to fight.

I'm here, and why, in the end ?

To work in a capitalist country where
people don't even know we exist? Where
they greet me with a salamalekoum in
place of a hello ?

If I went to the
mountains and took
up arms, at least
I'd know what I'm
doing!

87
 When will you At four a.m.
leave ? tonight

What were you

talking about ?

Come to the
You have a sunburn Mamoste clinic, I've got
Dîn ! You should put some some.
cream on !

He's right, you're

all red, do you have
any ?

88
 Li bendê, ez mecburim
biçim tuwaletê !

Go !

He's going to the

toilet.

Don't move.
It's up there.

89
90
Are you okay ?
What's wrong ? I'm sorry, I haven't really slept
for a week. It must be the
backlash, can I go to the clinic
to rest a little ?

91
 I'm not hungry.

Your blood pressure

is too low. You have Bijîsk ? I want
to eat. to tell you
something.

There's another man

I love, in France.

You gave me more

I see. joy in a few days Such an impressive
than I've had in woman !
months, and by
leaving, you ruin
it all !

And for how much will you

sell your drawings you made
of me?? 10 euros ? 50 ?
100 ?

92
 Not really, I feel
like shit.
Are you okay?

It seems that it couldn't have gone

otherwise anyway. It's a situation
where everybody is hurt, while only the
context and the miserable state in which
he puts us is responsible.

In this state of weakness only love

remains, and still... But you know
that, and you can be assured he
does too.
93
I'm tired, Jade. Ax ^u eman : oh my
god, Ês ^u derdê vê
dinyayê : the pain and
problems of this world,
Cendî ez kustim: are
killing me so much

Are driving me to
destruction,
Now the world is empty
and neglected,
Oh god, oh god, oh god,

This blonde girl, She hurt me, She made me feel

older, While she was out in the field, No hello, no
glance, Oh god, oh god, oh god,

I'm falling in love, Seeing you is sadness for me, I'm

hoping, You'll take my heart with you, Tell me «come
over», It would cure my sickness

Oh my god, Oh god,
Oh god...

94
Come !

Everybody's dancing
outside.
We should join them!

95
 The car is
waiting !

96
97
 « There are three kinds of violence.
The first one, mother of all, is institutional violence, which legalizes and perpetuates dominations, oppressions and
man's exploitation, crushing and thrashing millions of people, with its silent well-oiled machinery.
The second one is revolutionary violence, which arises from the will to abolish the first one.
The third one is repressive violence, which purpose is to stifle the second one, helping and compliciting the first
one which is the one creating all the others.
There is no worse hypocrisy than declaring that the second one is the only violence, pretending to forget the
first one which starts the second and the third one which kills it. »
Helder Camara

99