Letter from His Friends: Thank You Osman, Thank You Life

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We are sharing the English translation of the full letter penned by his friends in response to imprisoned businessperson and human rights activist Osman Kavala's letter dated April 19, 2020. Kavala has been arrested in Silivri Prison for 920 days as of today (May 8). 

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"Dear Osman,

We read your letters. We are both happy and sad. We have been apart for two and a half years now. We are far from your hands reaching out to us in our difficult days, we are far from your love and compassion embracing us.

We feel your absence even more in the days of Corona that we are going through. In your letter dated April 19, you wrote, 'Last night, for the first time, I had the chance to catch the sight of the full moon from the window of my downstairs room. I thought about the nights of the full moon that left an impression on my memory. How the full moon rose behind Mercedes Sosa in Harbiye Open-Air Theater swam before my eyes. We believed that Gracias a la Vida (Thank You Life) that Sosa sang on that night created that scene with its supernatural powers so that it could touch our hearts.'

And, in the magical light of the full moon on a May night, we would like to speak to you on the street, at sea, on the seaside, at home, in the mountains, from wherever we can exist. 'In spite of all this sorrow and injustice, in spite of everything, thank you life, thank you Osman!'"

Signatories

Your friends from all around the world

All street dogs and cats of the world

The ones unemployed, left unemployed and the homeless

Victims of Van earthquake

Those aged 65 and over not allowed to go out

Those aged 20 and younger not allowed to go out

Street children

Migrants

Birds of the Goat Tower in Diyarbakır

Owls of the Ani ruins in Kars

Seagulls of İstanbul

Young filmmakers

Victims of Marmara earthquake

Sparrows

Photographer children

Your neighbors in Tophane

Ants in the ventilation

Snails

Your friends from overseas

Storks and birds of passage

Contemporary artists (DB/SD)