While walking from the four-legged minaret in the Sur district towards the Armenian Church on the widened sidewalk, three young men were singing songs accompanied by a guitar. They had prepared a diverse repertoire, alternating between Turkish and Kurdish songs. Following pop music, a white-haired young man in local attire dancing regional dances was amusing those wanting to give money. He put the money between his two teeth and dropped it into the central box, while the local tourists around watched everything through their phone cameras.

On the way to the Great Mosque, the merchants of Hasan Pasha Khan did not let me leave without drinking their stone-ground coffee. In the gift shops inside the Khan, posters of Sheikh Sait were displayed next to Ahmet Kaya.

While explaining the situation, the merchants started with the term "economic terrorism." The general outlook of Turkey is also felt in Diyarbakir. Its trade and joint investments with Northern Iraq have diversified. The news of martyrs coming from there has created concern throughout the city. There are fears of escalating terrorism. Diyarbakir is a political city; they listed a series of question marks.

***

The entrance to the book fair at the Mesopotamia Culture and Congress Center resembles those in other cities of Turkey. Leading publishers are again around the entrance. Publishers focusing on Kurdish issues or explaining the Kurdish problem in Turkish are predominantly lined up in one section of the hall. Ismail Beşikçi, with his stance challenging not only obstacles but also years, attracts attention. While chatting with authors who publish in both Turkish and Kurdish, their common concern was not to disturb the dialogue environment. We noted Abdurrahim Kılıç's words, "The vast Turkey cannot be contained in one language."

While talking to a duo or trio group that seemed closer to the Hizbullah axis rather than conservatism, they focused on this phrase:

-It's necessary to demolish the idols of thought!

According to them, the dominant perspectives in Turkey need to be questioned and demolished!

The influence of HÜDA PAR, a partner in the government, is increasing in the region. Those who have experienced the city's history refer to the sharp-edged terror days of the 1990s. When HÜDA PAR holds a meeting, state forces also mobilize to ensure it goes smoothly and without any negative interventions.

At book fairs, I always ask teachers this question:

-What kind of generation is coming up?

This question carried a different meaning in Diyarbakir. The main points in the teachers' narratives were these:

-Young people are more focused on going abroad than on joining the mountain guerrillas.

-They are indifferent to the country's history and similar subjects.

-They are the children of the digital age.

Those who have long been influential in the city's politics talk about a general "weariness." Although there are such segments, politics is always alive in Diyarbakir. Beneath the city's calm appearance lie the embers of all the problems it has experienced from the past to the present.

***

While strolling inside and outside Sur with Sertaç Eke, a lawyer of Diyarbakir and the Republic, who started in politics with the CHP youth branches and is a dear friend, and sipping strong tea on straw stools, we discussed the future in light of our general observations. Eke says, "Take one step toward the people of this region, and they will take two towards you."

We experienced this truth.

At the book fair, the first words of many people, whether they thought like us or not, were:

-We are glad to see you here!

The term "journalist-writer" is common, but we also met an "industrialist-writer." Medeni Dilek, a Diyarbakir industrialist who wrote his life under the title "The Hungry Cats of a Full House," said one of his latest projects was setting up a factory in Erbil.

Peace is not just people living together in harmony, but also the growth of the economy.

The peace economy is much stronger and more enduring than the war economy!

As we once again respectfully remember our 12 martyrs, despite all the games of imperialism and its puppets, we will aim for peace.

We will win through peace!