SOLINGEN (AA) – MESUT ZEYREK – The pain of the Genç family, whose house was set on fire by racists on May 29, 1993 in Solingen, Germany, and who lost 5 family members in the fire, remains fresh despite the passing of 33 years. 60-year-old Kamil Genç, who managed to escape from the house set ablaze by 4 racist attackers, but lost his 2 daughters, 2 sisters and niece in the fire, said in a statement to the AA correspondent in front of the burning house, that despite the past 33 years, his pain has still not subsided.
Genç, who luckily survived the disaster that took place on Eid al-Adha 33 years ago, said, “It has been exactly 33 years, this year the commemoration coincided with the Eid. At that time, my late mother and my wife had bought Eid clothes for our late daughters, Hülya and Saime. I still remember them wearing their Eid clothes and being happy. 33 years have passed, but it seems like yesterday. When the sacrifice comes, it is as if I were living those days again, it is right before my eyes.” he said.
Genç, who was a taxi driver at that time, explained what happened as follows: “It was Friday and I was going to go to work by taxi on Saturday morning. When the incident happened around 01.30 that night, I heard my wife’s voice, I went downstairs in a sleepy state and turned off the electricity. Unfortunately, I could not go back in again, my children and siblings were martyred. My brothers were injured, my nephew was injured.
Nothing happened to me, my father was at work, he came back from work a few hours later and was a grocer. My brother Bekir was injured and he asked me what to do. I said, brother, throw yourself to the neighbor’s side. He threw himself too, I thought he was dead, but I revived him by doing heart massage. He asked what happened, I didn’t tell him. “They took him to the emergency room of the hospital in Aachen by ambulance, and he stayed in the hospital for 1 year.” Drawing attention to the importance of unity and solidarity to fight against racism, which has increased in Western countries in recent years, Genç invited everyone to the commemoration ceremony they will hold in Solingen on May 29 to show unity and solidarity.
– He grew up with the messages of love given by Mevlüde Genç despite the pain he experienced. 22-year-old Can Genç, whose father was seriously injured in a fire that broke out as a result of arson, said that although he was born 11 years after this disaster, he grew up with the messages of love, unity and solidarity given by his grandmother Mevlüde Genç, who passed away on October 30, 2022, despite the pain she experienced.
Young said, “Since I was little, he always told us about humanity, tolerance, respect and living together. Despite the great pain he experienced, he never used hateful language. On the contrary, he gave people messages of peace and unity. “This affected my life and mindset greatly.” he said. Stating that they, as the third generation, continue to keep alive the values and messages left by his grandmother Mevlüde Genç, Can Genç continued as follows: “We founded the Mevlüde Genç Association about 2 years ago.
Because it is very important for us that what he said does not only remain in the past but also reaches the younger generations. We find it very valuable that these issues are explained, especially in schools. Young people need to both learn about the past and understand the culture of tolerance and coexistence. It is our responsibility to keep the culture of memory alive. Also, one of my grandmother’s biggest dreams was to establish a museum.
He wanted it to be a place where people could come and both learn about what happened and feel his messages. Today, we are working hard to realize this dream. “I will continue to carry his messages and path throughout my life.” Inviting everyone to the commemoration program to be held on May 29 at 17.00, Genç said, “Being together would be very meaningful for us.” he said. – Solingen disaster On May 29, 1993, in the city of Solingen in Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia state, the houses of the Genç family on Untere Werner Street were set on fire, and Gürsün İnce (28), Gülüstan Öztürk (12), Hatice (19), Hülya (9) and Saime Genç (5) lost their lives in the attack.
The captured perpetrators Markus Gartmann, Felix Köhnen, Christian Reher and Christian Buchholz were released after serving the prison sentences imposed by the court. The attackers, whose identities have been changed and kept secret, continue their lives in Germany. Mevlüde Genç, who became the symbol of peace and reconciliation in Germany with her unifying messages despite losing her 2 daughters, 2 grandchildren and niece in the Solingen disaster, passed away due to a heart attack on October 30, 2022.
116Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 216Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 316Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established.
416Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 516Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 616Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established.
716Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 816Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 916Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established.
1016Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 1116Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 1216Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established.
1316Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 1416Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 1516Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established.
1616Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 116Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 216Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established.
316Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 416Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 516Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established.
616Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 716Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 816Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established.
916Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 1016Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 1116Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established.
1216Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 1316Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 1416Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established.
1516Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 1616Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 116Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established.
216Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 316Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 416Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established.
516Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 616Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 716Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established.
816Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 916Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 1016Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established.
1116Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 1216Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 1316Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established.
1416Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 1516Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 1616Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established.
116Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 216Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 316Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established.
416Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 516Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 616Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established.
716Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 816Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 916Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established.
1016Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 1116Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 1216Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established.
1316Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 1416Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established. 1516Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established.
1616Traditional products prepared by women in Bektaş village, with a population of 360 in Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, are offered for sale through the cooperative they established.
Comments
You can write your views about this story. Comments may be moderated according to site settings.