11 years ago, Sur district of Amed witnessed heavy clashes, destruction and the displacement of thousands of residents.

Today, Turkish warplanes are flying over the same district as part of a state-organized air show.

For many Kurds, these festivals are not seen as simple cultural events. They are viewed as part of the Turkish state’s assimilationist “special war” policies, using spectacle, nationalism and public events to reshape the identity and memory of Kurdish cities.

@KurdishFrontReports