On November 16, the Social Genocide Exhibit held its 25th program in Bethlehem, displaying more than 400 personal stories and memorabilia from 140 individuals. This traveling exhibition, which has visited 14 cities, was supported by 25 young volunteers. During this event, The Other Children, a documentary highlighting similar themes, was also screened. Including this program, the documentary has now reached audiences in 19 locations, including Bethlehem.
Exhibit coordinator Aslıhan Kas shared the following message during her opening remarks:
“Through this exhibit and The Other Children documentary, we aim to continue amplifying the voices of marginalized people in Turkey. During the persecution, 2.2 million individuals were investigated, half a million were imprisoned, and over 700 babies and children remain in prison alongside their mothers. If you would like to share memories of your loved ones in this exhibit, please reach out to us. Let’s preserve these memories and work together in pursuit of justice.”
Throughout the event, attendees shared their personal reactions to the exhibit and the documentary, opening up about their own experiences. Erkan E., a participant, said he was deeply affected by a moment in the documentary when a child mentioned how much he missed simply having breakfast with his father, who had been imprisoned unjustly. Erkan highlighted the importance of raising international awareness for those facing injustice in Turkey and emphasized the need to support them however possible.
Seven-year-old Sinan expressed his feelings about the exhibit with these words: “If I had to describe it in one word, it would be ‘shock.’” He shared that the story of 16-year-old Bahadır Odabaşı, who ended his life after falling into depression following his father’s imprisonment, had the greatest impact on him.
Another participant, age 16, recounted how the exhibit reminded him of a painful memory. After the coup attempt, he went two years without seeing his father, who in turn had never met his newborn sibling. When the family was finally reunited, the young child was initially afraid of their father—a moment that still deeply affects him. He concluded his remarks with, “I hope everyone will one day be reunited with their loved ones.”
Nesrin Kırlar shared the emotions she felt upon seeing the names of her father, İbrahim Söylemez, and sister, Feyza Söylemez, in the memorial section. She explained that her father lost his job by decree, leaving him unemployed with five children. Eventually, he passed away from a heart attack, unable to bear the strain. Her sister Feyza, who was devastated by the situation, succumbed to cancer while in hiding. Nesrin shared her pain over the fact that her father was reinstated posthumously, with a simple apology. She recalled,
“My father’s greatest wish was to declare, ‘I am not a terrorist. Let the whole world hear this.’ Seeing his name here today is an indescribable feeling for me.”
The powerful stories shared throughout the exhibit underscored the profound impact of these injustices on people’s lives. Attendees voiced their shared longing for justice, freedom, and human rights, and emphasized the importance of standing together in the ongoing struggle for these values.
