Artistic Resistance and Survival in Rojava's Women-Led Revolution

Kurdish artist and journalist Zehra Doğan reports from Rojava, the Kurdish region in northeastern Syria, where art and survival intersect amid ongoing conflict. Doğan documents the experiences of artists like Diyar Hesso, a filmmaker now serving on the front lines, who states that artistic creation requires survival first. The region has faced continuous attacks from jihadist groups since 2012, with the Women's Protection Units (YPJ) playing a central role in defense. Hevi, a YPJ fighter, explains that armed self-defense has become necessary for Kurdish women facing threats of violence and cultural genocide. Artistic production remains fragmented, with institutions like the Rojava Film Commune and Art Academy often repurposed for defense. Doğan recounts her personal history, including imprisonment in Turkey for documenting destruction and the assassination of writer Nagihan Akarsel. The article highlights how cultural preservation and resistance are intertwined, with gestures like hair-braiding videos emerging as artistic responses to violence. Rojava's political model, inspired by the 'Jin, Jiyan, Azadî' (Women, Life, Freedom) philosophy, represents a women-led revolution seeking democratic and ecological governance. The region's struggles reflect broader Kurdish experiences of division since the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne and ongoing conflicts with nation-states and extremist ideologies.