28th Galawezh International Festival Concludes in Sulaymaniyah

Galawezh Festival's Media Office

Photo from the 28th Galawezh International Festival.

The 28th Galawezh International Festival concluded on Saturday, 22 November 2025, in Sulaymaniyah. The three-day cultural event, which began on Thursday, was held under the theme: “Let Creativity Be for Beauty and Human Values.”

Organised by the Galawezh Literary and Cultural Centre, the festival brought together a distinguished group of researchers, writers, and artists from cities across the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and the wider region.

The closing day featured a rich programme of intellectual and artistic activities, including the presentation of research papers and studies, book signings for new releases from the Galawezh Literary and Cultural Centre, and a reading of selected poems by the late poet Sherko Bekas, performed by Helo Bekas. The event also included a performance by the Sulaymaniyah Folk Art Troupe and closing remarks delivered by Dr. Ibtisam Ismail, President of the Galawezh Literary and Cultural Centre.

Awards and certificates of appreciation were presented to participants for their contributions in the fields of research, short stories, and poetry. Several institutions and individuals who supported the festival’s success were also recognised.

The best research award was given to Hersh Kamal Rekani, the best story award went to Zana Wahid Ramazan, and the best poet award was presented to Green Nazi Baqi.

Founded in 1996 in Sulaymaniyah, the Galawezh Literary and Cultural Centre is a cultural institution dedicated to literature, intellectual thought, and progressive culture. The centre is named in honour of the prominent intellectual Ibrahim Ahmed, who published the Galawezh magazine in Baghdad between 1939 and 1949. Since its establishment, the centre has organised the Galawezh International Festival annually.



PUKMEDIA