African musician Enzo Ikah will take part in activist projects at Üsküdar University's Center for Political Psychology (PPM). Enzo Ikah, a psychologist, composer, and musician awarded the 'International Humanitarian Special Award', spoke about interesting events he experienced in Africa, his future plans for Turkey and Üsküdar University. Stating that his sole purpose as a peace ambassador is to bring people together, Ikah said: 'Some people have no idea about the African Continent. My mission is to tell people about Africa. To carry out many social and cultural activities together.'
"I felt at home at Üsküdar University"
Ikah, expressing his path crossing with Üsküdar University with the words "I felt at home," shared his story of meeting the university: "In 2016, I started a master's program in Peace and Conflict Studies at Hacettepe University. Currently, Prof. Havva Kök Arslan, Head of the Political Science and International Relations Department at Üsküdar University, was continuing her work at Hacettepe University at that time. I had the opportunity to meet her. After Prof. Dr. Arslan invited me to Üsküdar University, I had the chance to meet students from the Political Science and International Relations department and attend their classes, which were very successful programs. I felt at home in Üsküdar."
"As a peace ambassador, my goal is to bring people together"
Sharing about the projects he wants to undertake in the field of activism at Üsküdar University PPM, Ikah stated his desire to serve as a peace ambassador. Ikah said: "My entire life means research. As a peace ambassador, my goal is to bring people together. Some people have no idea about the African Continent. My mission is to tell people about Africa. They say, 'Who knows more, one who travels a lot or one who reads a lot?' I believe never having traveled is like reading an incomplete book. We can do many social and cultural activities together. I want you to know me better. Because many of you are unaware of what African countries have been facing for centuries. My goal is to help you travel in your minds and see what has happened."
"My only dream is the freedom of my nation"
Enzo spoke about wanting to raise awareness about the African Continent in Turkey, saying: "I learned a lot about the culture of the Turkish nation. That's why I wrote six fairy tale books titled 'Makaku' for children living in Turkey. In 2010, I released 'Gökkuşağı' (Rainbow), Turkey's first African-produced album. In 2015, I came here as a refugee. A musical documentary was filmed depicting my exile life in Istanbul. This year, we made an agreement with TRT for a documentary project. In addition to all this, I give hundreds of concerts and appear in various media channels and magazines nationwide. I promote my music through university conferences I attend and meet new people. I am someone who aims to raise awareness about those from war-torn, conflict-ridden regions living in hardship. We can live together with our differences. We come from various parts of the world, and if you don't love us, you cannot respect others. Because everything is built on love. People dream of cars, yachts. My only dream is the freedom of my nation."
"Living only for yourself is like a life never lived"
Enzo Ikah, conveying that the greatest life lesson he learned from his grandmother was to live for others, said: "My grandmother told me, 'May your life be better, but before that, try to make others' lives better. Living for ourselves is like a life never lived, but living for others is living forever.' Ikah, emphasizing the importance of doing what you love, used the expressions: 'If you do a job you never loved, it feels like you'll work your whole life, but if you do a job you love with all your heart, it feels like you're not working at all.'
"The problem is not countries, but people"
Ikah, stating that he lived in many countries around the world and knows different languages, drew attention to the importance of being human. Ikah said: "I'm like a turtle. I've been to 48 countries in the world. I was born in Italy. That's why my name is Italian. I know 11 languages. I never seek a visa for France. Because I refused when UNHCR forced me to go to America in 2013. The countries I lived in for many years, in order, are: Italy, Congo, France, Turkey. My grandmother always used to tell me, 'Don't give moral lessons to crocodiles if you haven't crossed the other river yet.' The problem is not countries; it's people."
Who is Enzo Ikah?
Enzo's father, whose real name was 'Lorenzo' and who was a pilot for the Congolese prime minister, and his mother, who was a flight attendant on the same plane, died in a crash when Enzo was only four months old, due to the plane being shot down for political reasons. He studied psychology at the Sorbonne University in France. After completing his master's degree, he returned to Congo for his doctoral thesis and realized that something was wrong in his country. Women and children were being exploited to produce coltan. He wanted to get detailed information about the events but no one would talk to him about it. Since the government was also part of the coltan trade, attempts were made to obstruct Enzo's work. They burned down his studio a day before he was to perform a song about soldiers existing to protect their country's land, and that civilians of their own country were not their enemies. After performing his song 'Savage Soldier' on a live broadcast program, he was intercepted on his way home and arrested. They told him he talked too much and would never speak again, then pulled out his right-side teeth. Without bringing him to court, they sentenced him to 10 years in prison and confined him to a small cell. Enzo was ready to die for the truth. The government, disturbed by Enzo's work, subjected him to various tortures. With the help of a friend, Enzo left the country and came to Turkey, as the first available flight was to Istanbul. Upon arriving in Turkey, he faced many problems. He didn't know the language, had identity issues, and struggled to make his voice heard. He started earning a living as a porter in Istanbul. With a gifted guitar, he continued his work and simultaneously began to tell his story.
REPORTER: Beyza Gezer