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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)
