Yerevan Radio began its broadcasting journey in 1955 and held vital importance for the Kurds, particularly for those in the Serhat region. Broadcasting in pure Kurdish, it prevented a banned language, culture, and music from fading into obscurity. The strans (traditional songs) played on Yerevan Radio, accompanied by authentic Kurdish musical instruments such as the bılûr (flute), davul, zurna, fiq, mey, and kaval, resonated deeply with the hearts and minds of the people, leaving an indelible mark on their consciousness.

During the same era, Baghdad Radio aired broadcasts praising the Ba'ath Party, while Urmia Radio in Iran broadcasted praises for the Shah’s regime; thus, neither garnered as much devotion as Yerevan Radio. Although noteworthy dengbêjs were occasionally heard on those stations, Yerevan Radio was far more impactful because it served as a mouthpiece for no one. Instead, it was dedicated solely to Kurdish culture, history, and music.

The daily sign-on, "Wira denge radyoya Erivane ’ye, Erivan xeber dide guhdaren eziz" ("Here is the voice of Yerevan Radio; Yerevan speaks to its beloved listeners"), was eagerly awaited each evening with passion, enthusiasm, and longing across Kurdistan. When that moment arrived, people from all walks of life regardless of their age or what they were doing would pause their work, turn on their battery-powered transistor radios, and listen first to the news, followed by folk songs and traditional melodies. During the evening hours, tea was brewed in village guest rooms, and everyone listened with rapt attention until the final second of the program. Before the collapse of the Soviet Union, it broadcasted for an hour and a half each day.

It remains one of the most vital cornerstones of the Kurdish national enlightenment. It gave voice to what was forgotten and what others wished to erase, transforming oral traditions into enduring narratives and standing as a fortress for Kurdish culture and artists.

The radio’s first news anchors were Kereme Seyad with his deep, resonant voice and flawless Kurdish alongside Gulizera Casim. Presenting the news in the dialect of the Serhat Kurds, they kept the connection between the Kurdish people and the wider world alive during a time when prohibitions were at their peak. Female anchors such as Ezniva Reşit, Sevaza Evdo, and Lusika Huseyn periodically joined Kereme Seyad in reading the news.

Through Yerevan Radio, Kurds who were struggling under heavy restrictions learned about Soviet leaders from Brezhnev and Khrushchev to Andropov, Chernenko, and Gorbachev as well as the inner workings of the Soviet Union and global news. During the Cold War, they gained insight into intercontinental ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons exchanged between the US and the USSR. Crucially, it was through this station that they learned about Mella Mustafa Barzani’s national struggle, as well as their own language, culture, and folklore.

The initial groundwork for the radio was laid by Cesime Çelil, a native of Kızılkule village in Digor, who served as the first producer-editor (1955–1957) helping shape its core identity. Subsequently, Xelil Muradov (1957–1982) and Ehmede Goge (1982–1994) served as editors-in-chief, alongside Kereme Seyad, who led general broadcasting from its inception until 1994.

Throughout its operational life, the radio recorded and delivered classic Kurdish music, contemporary songs, and diverse folkloric works to the Kurdish people, building a vast archive.

Prof. Heciye Cindi, who worked at Yerevan Radio for many years and contributed significantly to the development of Kurdish journalism and language, was born in the Yemençayır village of Digor. Erebe Şemo, another prominent contributor, hailed from Susuz village in Digor; both dedicated immense effort to Kurdish literature and history on air.

Vezire Eşo translated texts from various languages for broadcast, while Ezniva Reşit served as an anchor for nearly 24 years. The radio's pioneering artists included masters of the bılûr and mey like Egide Cımo, as well as prominent dengbêjs and singers such as Karapete Xaço, Şeroye Bıro, Efoye Esed, Arame Tiqran, Xana Zeze, Aslîka Qadır, and Asa Evdile. Over time, legendary figures like Eyşe Şan, Meyremxan, Dilbera Wekil, Şemama Wekil, Arife Cızravi, Hesen Cızravi, and İsa Benvari joined the ranks. Other luminous names include Seide Şamedin, Reşide Baso, Meme Xudo, Zedina Şekir, Egide Tecir, Memoye Silo, Şıbleye Çaçan, Belga Qado, Hovhannes Badalyan, Feyzoye Rıza, Xelile Evdile, and Şamile Beko.

These dengbêjs sang songs on every theme heroism, love, and nature touching the hearts of Kurds all across the world.

From its founding to the present day, Yerevan Radio has contributed immensely to the enrichment of Kurdish national consciousness and culture through its music and enlightenment programming. Under arduous conditions, it rendered historic services to Kurdish language, culture, history, and literature a legacy whose banner will wave forever.

(Dîroka Dîgor'e)

On August 14, 1993, Turkish security forces opened fire on thousands of peaceful civilian demonstrators marching toward Digor, Kars, to protest human rights violations. This unprovoked assault resulted in the deaths of 17 civilians (including children) and injured at least 63 others. Although the European Court of Human Rights later condemned Turkey for violating the right to life, domestic courts repeatedly acquitted all involved security personnel, leaving a painful legacy of systemic impunity that continues to seek genuine accountability and remembrance.

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