In Friesland I See Kurdistan

By Shara Jamal Shahoyi

One sunny day I was enjoying my very Dutch croquette in the snack bar around the corner of our house when a tall man, looking old and tired, walked in and ordered something to eat for himself and his family.

After the man ordered everything he wanted, the young girl behind the counter smiled and asked if he could repeat the order in Dutch. At this, my interest went from my croquette to what was happening at the counter. I didn’t want to miss this. I leaned forward because this was going to be interesting.

I saw something in the eyes of that man, something I’d seen before, but somewhere far away. He had the look of a fighter, and he was furious at the young lady.

“You are here in Friesland, you should learn Frisian. I am not going to change my language because you cannot understand me,” he bellowed. “Now go get someone who speaks Frisian.”

Deep down I felt sympathy and love for this man. He was one of the few Frisians I had come across in 20 years still fighting for their independence or difference. He reminded me of us, of Kurds.

There are two languages in the Netherlands, Dutch and Frisian. The Frisian language is the only minority language that has been recognized under part III of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. What this means is that the Netherlands is obliged to take certain actions in order to foster this minority language.

There are different methods to promote the language. One of them is by means of education and since 1980 Frisian has been a compulsory subject for primary school pupils in the province of Friesland. Unfortunately, our language, Kurdish, is still not a compulsory subject in some parts of Kurdistan.

The history of the Frisians starts around the sixth century BC, and can be said to end in 1813, when Friesland like all other regions became a province of the newly formed Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Until today, Friesland tries to preserve and promote its language, culture and identity. But Frisian developments can only take place within the framework of the Dutch state and are therefore limited. Big decisions are not made in the capital of Friesland, Leeuwarden, but in The Hague.

Likewise, big decisions are not made in the capital of southern Kurdistan -- Erbil -- but in Baghdad and only within the framework of...

The Frisians have their own flag, national anthem, bank and television and radio stations. Frisian horses and cows are very popular and even their sports are well known.

The reason why Friesland isn’t a state? Well, there are some historians who believe that it’s the fault of many Frisians who weren’t patriotic enough in 1813. This reminds me of the Treaty of Sevres, where there was an initial agreement on the boundaries of a Kurdistan but the Kurds didn't do enough to get what they wanted.

There are so many similarities between Frisians and Kurds, Friesland and Kurdistan. I’m delighted that I had a chance to grow up among them. I learned so much from their rebellious way of thinking. I vote for an independent Friesland and an independent Kurdistan because in the end, as the old Friesian saying goes, “Butter, rye-bread and young cheese: Whoever cannot say that is not a true Frisian.”