The Exhibition of Silent Screams was held in Seattle on December 21, San Francisco on December 22, and San Diego on December 26. The exhibition, which attracted over 1,000 visitors in total, became the voice of millions of silenced people by sharing the mementos and stories of those who have struggled under oppression.
So far, 28 programs have been held in 18 different cities and have received great attention. The exhibition was organized in collaboration with Advocates of Silenced Turkey (AST), the Pacific Foundation, and the Anatolia Cultural Center. More than 100 young volunteers participated in the exhibition’s organization.
“The Other Children” and Announcing a New Documentary
“The Other Children” documentary was also screened for the audience during the programs. In addition, exhibition coordinator Aslıhan Kaş revealed plans for an upcoming documentary focused on women. The new documentary will share the stories of women who have experienced severe human rights violations such as strip searches, electrocution, staged executions, and torture based on ethnic origin. The documentary will specifically feature the experiences of dismissed teachers, writers, and Kurdish women.
If you would like the stories of your loved ones who have faced oppression to be shared in the form of a documentary, exhibition, or book, please contact us.
Testimonies of Our Visitors
Emotional moments were experienced during interviews with over 50 visitors at the exhibition:
- Mesut İnci: “I saw the memento of Murat Tekin at the exhibition, and I couldn’t eat that day. I have four children, and when I hug them, I think of the fathers who cannot hug their children. A great struggle is being fought; we must do our best to raise awareness among wider audiences.”
- Mehmet Maza: “As someone who spent two and a half years in prison, I thought of the friends I left behind. I understand their suffering very well. Haluk Savaş’s glasses and the prayer beads made from olive pits deeply affected me. Our brothers and sisters in Turkey should know that we have not forgotten them, and we never will.”
- Ms. Jazgul: “I’m from Kyrgyzstan. As soon as we gained our independence, three schools were opened in 1992. Orhan İnandı, one of the founders of the education services in Kyrgyzstan, was our idol. I became very emotional when I saw his mementos at the exhibition. We learned Turkish, love, and peace from them.”
- Mr. Musa: “These things unfortunately happened in a country where democracy does not exist. While reading the stories, I thought of my own children. I was especially affected by the stories of the military students who were killed by having their throats slit. I pray for my brothers and sisters in Turkey; these injustices will be resolved.”
- Ms. Ezime: “Our brothers and sisters in Turkey should not lose hope; these bad days will pass.”
- Mr. Erdoğan: “We are trying to understand the pain of those who have experienced human rights violations in Turkey, and we are striving for them. It is encouraging to see young people from Turkey supporting those left behind.”
- Süeda: “I was tasked with telling the stories behind three mementos that were presented on my stand. They were very sad stories. Although it has been ten years since I came from Turkey, I realized I have forgotten many things. Remembering and supporting them is very valuable. The steadfastness of our brothers and sisters in Turkey sets an example for us.”
- Mr. Mustafa: “As a human, I feel ashamed for not being there enough for them. I’m sorry that I wasn’t there for them and couldn’t help enough. I hope these difficulties will end as soon as possible. We must do everything we can to raise awareness on the international stage. I apologize to our brothers and sisters in Turkey; please forgive us.”
Mementos Displayed for the First Time
- Orhan İnandı’s Medical Arm Sling: The arm sling used by educator Orhan İnandı after he was tortured, along with the letters he wrote while in prison, symbolizes his resistance.
- 6-Year-Old Cevdet’s Blender: The blender that Cevdet, who has cerebral palsy, never parted with during his dangerous journey was displayed as a symbol of the hardships he endured.
- Habip Akbaş’s Camouflage Outfit: The camouflage outfit of Habip Akbaş, who was arrested for being a volunteer in the Gülen Movement and died in a suspicious traffic accident after his release, serves as a reminder of his tragic story.
- Özge Elif Hendekci’s Lawyer Robe and Bahar’s Mementos: Lawyer and mother Özge Elif Hendekci, who was arrested during the witch hunt on July 15, 2016, spent five years in prison with her 3-month-old baby. She continues to share her pain and pursuit of justice by donating her lawyer’s robe and her daughter Bahar’s mementos from prison to the exhibition.
The exhibition’s next stop will be Utah. There are three programs planned in February, including exhibitions at two universities and one at a Turkish cultural center. We are continuing our efforts to amplify the voices of those who have suffered oppression to broader audiences.
We will continue to be the voice of the silenced.
