Sunday, November 26, 2006

I was in Sicily this week, in a region called Catania, right beneath Mt. Etna. At night the volcano is an incredible amalgam of red light that goes towards the sea. People start learning the language of the volcano the day they are born. They are warm people who never hide their feelings, unlike other nations. They know how to express their anger and sorrow the moment it happens. For them, cooperation, collectivity and friendship are of paramount importance. They combine traditional values with Europeanness. They are both open to the world and find oneness amongst themselves. They are a beautiful people with big hearts, Sicilians.

Elif Şafak

  I was in Sicily this week, in a region called Catania, right beneath Mt. Etna. At night the volcano is an incredible amalgam of red light that goes towards the sea. People start learning the language of the volcano the day they are born. They are warm people who never hide their feelings, unlike other nations. They know how to express their anger and sorrow the moment it happens. For them, cooperation, collectivity and friendship are of paramount importance. They combine traditional values with Europeanness. They are both open to the world and find oneness amongst themselves. They are a beautiful people with big hearts, Sicilians.

  I went to the island to receive the Maria Grazia Cutuli Award. Maria Grazia Cutuli was one of those rare people who couldn t sleep knowing others were going hungry in the world. Her heart was as large as her enthusiasm to help people. She wanted to shout to the world whatever she saw as injustice, sorrow or pressure. She wanted to fight injustice, never accepting the established system. Questioning, with a sound mind and huge heart. She was suddenly killed as she was trying to tell the West about Afghanistan, Afghan people and especially Afghan women. After her death, her devastated family and friends decide to establish an award in her name. It is an award for courage and creativity open to journalists, columnists and writers all around the world. That s why I went to the island and fell in love with the peace and pride it exhorted all around the place. That must be the first way you begin to describe Sicily, a proud peace. Despite being so peaceful and distant, it is strong and even tough deep inside. Confident Sicily.

  Before the ceremony, a panel discussion was held at which the region s academics, intellectuals and university students were present. Discussions were on the obstacles standing before freedom of expression and the “pen vs. pressure” dilemma. The West vs. East dilemma and the prejudices held against Islam were discussed and criticized. While interest in the panel was huge, it was disappointing to see that students and young people had very little knowledge about Turkey. Italy and Turkey are so close geographically and culturally but are very disinterested and ignorant about each other.

  Right after the panel, an Italian journalist asked, “Why isn t your justice minister proud of his writers?"

  "Instead of being proud of them, he accuses you, Turkish writers, of all the bad things that happen to you. I often go to Istanbul, and that s why I get the opportunity to observe both cultures. In Italy and especially Sicily, we always guard our writers and intellectuals. We respect their criticisms. We are proud of their achievements. Just like Etna. It constantly spews out lava; it is always angry and free. However, Sicilians cannot live without Etna. Etna is part of our culture. We can t be without it. I guess we see our writers a bit like Etna. However, that s not the way it is there. There is a habit in Turkey I find very strange. If a writer or an intellectual receives an award from the West, he or she is immediately branded a traitor. Writing is like treason. I can t understand that,” he added.

  I can t understand it myself, let alone explain this strange situation, this “cultural difference,” to you. We go on to the next question. A memorable and full day ends. Sicily is a memorable and full island.