From dance and poetry to cooking and crafts, Uyghur children reconnect with their roots at a cultural workshop in Norway.
In mid-August, when much of the world is enduring the hottest days of the year, the Norwegian city of Bergen remains cool. Yet this year, the city warmed with Uyghur meshrep celebrations, resounded with Uyghur melodies, and smiled in the joy of Uyghur cultural heritage spanning a thousand years.
Uyghur students proudly present their creations after the workshop.
Children from England and Germany gathered in Bergen with their friends living in Norway. Between the ages of 12 and 18, they looked at the world with love, searched for their roots, and wrestled with questions of identity.
Uyghur students proudly present their creations after the workshop.
For Uyghur youth, adolescence often brings existential questions: Who are we? Where do we come from? Where are we going? From August 15 to 17, these questions were addressed at a special gathering. The program began with an introduction to Uyghur homeland, land, and culture, followed by the screening of a documentary on today’s genocide.
Uyghur youth explore their heritage through cooking.
Then the atmosphere lifted with a traditional meshrep. When asked about their impressions afterward, the children spoke with excitement:
“We learned how to play meshrep for the first time. For the first time in my life, I was chosen as a young leader!” said Mustafa from England.
“I thought ‘Qazi’ was just a man’s name, but it actually means ‘judge.’ I believe I became the first Uyghur judge today,” joked Sumayya, also from England.
Uyghur students learning music from musician Mirkamil Turkel.
On the afternoon of August 16, from 5 to 7 p.m., the meshrep was introduced, and children learned its roles and customs. Mustafa was chosen as yigit bashi (leader of the youth), while Sumayya became the judge. Emrulla from Germany acted as pasha begi (chief usher). Together, they organized all participants. Even 12 adult participants submitted to the children’s leadership—accepting punishments with patience and enjoying rewards with laughter.
A segment from the presentation by Uyghur folklore researcher Zulhayat Otkur.
Three young men from Germany brought the meshrep to its climax with a powerful sama (dance). Emrulla, Ilzat, and Elzat electrified the gathering with movements evoking galloping horses, soaring falcons, and warriors moving in unison. They then taught their peers how to perform the sama, step by step. Soon, 23 young participants joined in, filling the circle with energy and spirit.
A segment from the presentation by Uyghur folklore researcher Zulhayat Otkur.
The program also featured lessons in Uyghur literature, delivered by poet AbduShukur Muhammad Qumtur, who explained the history of Uyghur writing and recited his own poems. Music lessons were led by MirKamil Tursel, who introduced traditional instruments including dutar, tambur, satar, ghijek, khushtar, and dap. Wearing traditional Uyghur dress and a Yarkand-style doppa, he captivated both children and parents—some parents even expressed a desire to learn alongside their children.
For many, it was their first time hearing about “Ming Öy” (the Thousand Houses). Artist Nijat Hushur gave a lecture on Uyghur art history, leaving students like Samira from England fascinated: “This is my first time hearing about Ming Öy and Uyghur painting.”
In another workshop, Zulhayat Ötkür taught Uyghur textile patterns. After a visual introduction, she guided the children in applying traditional motifs to fabric items. The children proudly displayed and photographed their newly designed bags.
No Uyghur cultural program would be complete without food. Children learned how to prepare bread in a clay oven and eagerly baked samsa with the help of parents and teachers. The fresh pastries delighted everyone.
The three-day cultural course in Bergen brought Uyghur youth together through shared lessons, meals, games, and conversations. They built friendships, formed groups, and reluctantly said goodbye with promises to meet again.
Organized by Uyghur Yar (Uyghur Friends) with the support of parents from England, the host announced that the next gathering would be held in London, inviting all to return.
This was the third “Meshrep and Ming Öy” event, following earlier ones in Berlin, Germany and Stockholm, Sweden.
