29th Galawezh International Festival Opens in Sulaymaniyah

PUKMEDIA

Galawezh festival.

The 29th edition of the Galawezh International Festival officially opened on Thursday evening, 5 November 2026, in Sulaymaniyah, under the theme “Galawezh: A Platform for Diverse Cultures”and dedicated to the memory of Sami Hadi.

The opening ceremony began with a minute of silence in tribute to the souls of the martyrs, followed by the Iraqi and Kurdish national anthems.

Ibtisam Ismail, Head of the Galawezh Literary and Cultural Centre and supervisor of the festival, then delivered the opening remarks. Welcoming the guests, she emphasised that Galawezh regards culture as a space for expression and a powerful force for social change and bringing peoples closer together. She noted that this year’s theme reflects the festival’s fundamental belief that dialogue is the way forward in building partnerships between nations.

She further highlighted Sulaymaniyah’s rich literary and artistic heritage, saying: “The city of Sulaymaniyah has a rich literary and artistic history. Galawezh seeks to preserve this identity and transform the city into a vibrant centre of cultural activity – a platform for thinkers, writers and artists from around the world – while safeguarding Kurdish identity in a modern and civilised manner.”

She also noted that this year’s festival is particularly distinctive, with a diverse programme featuring poetry, literature, music, singing, theatre and traditional dabke dance, alongside exhibitions of visual arts, books and photography.

A statement from the President of the Republic of Iraq, Nizar Amedi, was then read out by his representative, Asos Ali. The statement described the Galawezh Festival as “more than just an annual event; it is a cultural and literary mission – a forum that promotes freedom and highlights intellectual and literary activities in the service of our people’s literary and cultural identity.”

Dalil Jamal, representing Hama Hama Saeed, the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Minister of Culture, subsequently delivered a statement on behalf of the Ministry. He described the Galawezh Festival as “an important and influential beacon in the cultural movement of Kurdistan and the wider region”, noting that it continues to expand year after year.

He added: “The Galawezh Festival was established amid the sound of cannons and against the backdrop of civil war. Its flame was first lit in Sulaymaniyah, with President Mam Jalal providing the support needed for its success. At the same time, Galawezh represents the continuation of a legacy – a flame first ignited by Ibrahim Ahmed, whose light has since spread throughout Kurdistan.”

Dr Sherko Abdullah, Head of the Sulaymaniyah branch of the Kurdish Writers’ Union, also addressed the ceremony, highlighting the festival’s significance and the important role played by the Galawezh Literary and Cultural Centre in Kurdistan’s cultural and intellectual life.

A documentary was then screened, showcasing previous editions of the festival and the activities organised by the Galawezh Literary and Cultural Centre over the years.

The main programme of the 29th Galawezh Festival subsequently got under way, featuring renowned Kurdish poet Qubad Jali Zadeh, who recited poems in Kurdish and Arabic, while German poet Undine Materni presented excerpts from her own work.

The festival will continue over three days.


PUKMEDIA