Kurdistan in a Bottle: Crafting Identity Through Quality Wine
By: Fargo Bcn
In the enchanting city of Mardin, nestled between rolling hills and ancient ruins, Faysal reflects on his childhood, a time colored by the vivid memories of his early years in the small village of Meşkinan. It was a peaceful existence until, one day, his world abruptly altered. When he was just two or three years old, his grandfather, seized by a sudden urge to seek a new life, hurriedly decided to emigrate to Diyarbakir. In an unpredictable flurry of activity, they loaded their meager possessions—a few quilts, pots, and furniture scraps onto a truck parked across the street.
They ventured into the unknown with no house waiting for them and no concrete plans in place. Faysal's father and grandfather stood outside their old home, watching the truck depart with what little they possessed. Their new life in Diyarbakir began amidst uncertainties.
Faysal's father, a grade school graduate, faced the harsh reality of unemployment. He took on daily jobs, yet his ambition didn't wane. Balancing work at the Mardin health clinic as a janitor, he pursued evening classes to learn commerce and typing. His dedication shone through. His hard work caught the attention of the clinic's administrative staff, leading to a recommendation for a secretarial position in Hani. Accepting this opportunity, they moved to Hani, hoping for brighter prospects.
Education became a priority in Faysal's life due to his father's unwavering belief in its importance. Faysal completed elementary school in Diyarbakir and continued in Hani before moving on to Çınar. His brother ventured into tailoring and opened his shop in a short time. While Faysal immersed himself in academics during the day, he spent afternoons helping his brother in the bustling tailor shop, marking the beginning of his journey in the trade.
By the time he was seventeen, Faysal found himself running a part of the tailor shop. Life took a sudden, dangerous turn when his friend Ahmet, a victim of police torture, sought refuge with Faysal and his family. They had to be extra careful and vigilant; their shop was divided into a workshop at the back, allowing Ahmet to hide from unsuspecting customers. One fateful day, Ahmet's father spotted him there, and soon, the police were at their door. Faysal's resilience was tested as he was detained for three harrowing days, tormented but resolute. He insisted that Ahmet was merely a customer, a story his father corroborated by bribing familiar police officers for intervention. Finally, he was released, yet the shadow of fear loomed large over his life.
Years went on, and Faysal graduated from university, finding a role as a physics teacher in Amasya. However, the political climate shifted dramatically after the September 12, 1980 coup. The oppressive regime stifled freedom, pushing his brother to flee abroad and instilling a sense of danger in Faysal. Realizing the threat his Kurdish identity posed, he took a bold step—he made plans to escape to France to join his brother.
In France, the transition was harsh. Faysal was thrown into a new life, surrounded by unfamiliarity. That initial period was filled with challenges, forcing him to adapt to a new language and culture. His brother welcomed him with open arms, yet the journey was difficult; many Kurdish children had fled under chaotic circumstances, and Faysal knew the struggle of starting over from scratch.
He often drew parallels between the Kurdish and Jewish diaspora, recognizing the potential for the Kurds to unite and establish a stronghold in their new homes. Inspired by the Paris Kurdish Institute's efforts during the Gulf War, Faysal dreamed of a vibrant Kurdish identity thriving abroad. They could collectively contribute to their homeland and its culture in the future.
Faysal believed in the power of education and economic advancement. He urged Kurdish youth in the diaspora to learn foreign languages but not forget the Kurdish language as their mother tongue and pursue academic excellence or entrepreneurship. The time for armed struggle had passed; the real battle lay in building a foundation for the future, fostering a community that would support the next generation in embracing their heritage while thriving globally.
As he articulated his hopes for the Kurdish diaspora, Faysal emphasized the importance of nurturing young people, encouraging them to partner with institutions that would allow them to preserve their identities while working towards a prosperous future. In his heart, he carried a vision—one where Kurds in the diaspora could become the architects of an independent Kurdistan, leveraging their skills and resilience to shape a brighter path forward. His vision is one of hope and possibility, inspiring all who hear it.
In a separate interview with Faysal, I shifted my question about his passion. "Can you share your vision for your business in the context of the Kurdish identity?"
"Absolutely! I am determined to elevate myself in the business world, and achieving this is one of my essential goals. Progress is unattainable without such aspirations. However, I must acknowledge that carrying the name "Kurdistan" presents challenges and difficulties in the business landscape. For instance, many Kurdish markets hesitate to sell wine due to a self-imposed restraint, fearing how Turkish customers might react. While this situation was not unexpected, I embraced the risk that comes with it. It may not seem like the most prudent path, but it reflects my political stance. Initially, I was uncertain whether this venture would be financially sustainable, but I weighed the risks and felt confident moving forward. Fortunately, I have a profession that secures my livelihood."
I went on further to ask, " What does your current profession look like?"
"I work as a freelancer with haute couture companies- fashionable clothes produced by leading fashion houses. I don't own my workshop, which limits my ability to create custom garments. Additionally, I am bound by confidentiality agreements with the companies I collaborate with, meaning I cannot produce identical or similar products for others."
Intrigued and challenged by Faysal to answer my last question, I asked, "What inspired you to indulge and start making wine?"
"The company I worked for between 2013 and 2018, in the long run, closed its workshop division. The outbreak of the Covid and restrictions during the pandemic brought this about. Many businesses have suffered with no choice but to shut down. Although we received compensation, we were also allowed to train during this transition. During this period, one of our instructors was involved in the wine trade, which piqued my interest. The name "Kurdistan" has always resonated deeply within me, as it does for many of us. As I delved into this venture, I noticed that the shape of the grape cluster resembled the map of a united Kurdistan, which inspired the design of my logo."
I asked, "What do you see as the market opportunity with your wine brand?"
"I identified a gap in the market: Kurds lacked a dedicated wine brand. I thought, "Why not?" so I explored this further. Since I intended to incorporate the name "Kurdistan," I was adamant that low-quality table wine sold in underground markets wouldn't represent the Kurdish identity. Instead, I forged a partnership with the renowned French winery, Château Trois Fonds, leading to the creation of Kurdistan wine—both high quality and deeply meaningful. My goal is to provide an exceptional product for Kurds in the diaspora. I wanted to offer something exclusive rather than settling for conventional wines in supermarkets. It has to carry an identity.
In French, there is a saying I particularly admire: 'Rien n'est trop beau pour toi.' I adapted it to express, 'Rien n'est trop beau pour les Kurdes,' which means 'Nothing is too good for the Kurds' — because, honestly, Kurds deserve the best of everything."
**********
Acknowledgment: Some photos and information courtesy of Kejê Bêmal from her interview with Faysal Taskiran. You can also read her interview article in Turkish through this link https://www.rupelanu.org/pariste-bir-meskinanli-faysal-taskiran-kurdler-her-seyin-en-iyisine-layiktir-29179h.htm
Comments