The 10th Women’s Literature and Art Festival will take place in the city of Qamishlo from 17 to 19 April under the slogan "Free art through the voice and color of women." Traditionally held each year in March to coincide with International Women’s Day on 8 March, the festival could not be organised in its usual month this year due to security concerns. In response, the Preparatory Committee rescheduled the event for 17 April. This year’s edition will also differ in format. While previous festivals were held at the Mihemed Shexo Culture and Art Centre, this year's event will be hosted at Qamishlo’s Azadi Park. The opening is set for 17 April at 5:00 p.m., and the events will continue through 19 April.

The Women’s Literature and Art Festival is organized around two evaluation committees. One is responsible for reviewing poems and short stories in Kurdish and Arabic, while the other focuses on visual artwork. In addition, fifty women engaged in handicrafts will participate in the festival, and their work will be assessed by the art committee. At the end of the festival, three women will be honoured with awards for their artistic contributions. Firyal Çolî, co-chair of the Culture Committee of the Cizire (Cizîrê) Canton and a member of the festival’s Preparatory Committee, spoke to ANF about the goals and significance of the event.

Çolî said that the Preparatory Committee has been working on the festival since 1 April. She added: "Many activities will be held throughout the festival. Some of our most well-known artists will be participating, alongside various literary and artistic groups. This festival is an opportunity for all women. It offers a space where everyone can present their art and craft to society. Many women outside Rojava are eager to see how this festival is organised entirely by women’s hands, and they want to take part. Through such events, we capture women’s attention and inspire them.”

Çolî emphasized that the main purpose of the festival is to encourage women to grow and develop each year, and added: "Every woman participating in the festival puts in significant effort. Each of them will also receive a certificate of appreciation. We organise events like this to ensure that art and women are always remembered together. A woman must know herself and strive to grow every day."

The goal is to bring the festival to other cities

Çolî concluded her remarks by expressing the committee’s desire to expand the festival across different parts of Northern and Eastern Syria: "This year, the 10th Women’s Literature and Art Festival is being held in the city of Qamishlo. However, there are many women from other regions who want to take part. In the coming period, we will work to organise this festival in the Euphrates Canton as well. I would also like to emphasize that we will continue this struggle so that all women in Syria can become a symbol of freedom for women around the world."

Festival programme:

Day 1 (17 April)

- The first day of the festival will open with a speech by Siham Qeryo, co-chair of the Autonomous Administration of the Cizire Canton.

- Firyal Çolî, co-chair of the Culture Committee of the Cizire Canton, will also deliver a speech on behalf of the Festival Preparatory Committee.

- Following the opening remarks, a video prepared by the committee will be screened, presenting messages from women who were unable to attend the festival.

- Performance by music group Stera Zerin.

- Poet Ayfir Yildiztan will recite a poem in Kurdish.

- Performance by Armenian music group Anush Abidan.

Day 2 (18 April)

- Yasmin Esker, an artist from the city of Raqqa, will perform songs in Arabic.

- Poet Maryam Temir will contribute to the festival with a poetry recital.

- Following the musical and poetic performances, the Hilala Zerin Theatre Group will stage a theatrical play.

- The dance group Koma Dilan, affiliated with Martyr Welat, will present a traditional halay performance.

- The day will conclude with a screening of the film Dream of Death (Xewa Mirinê ).

Day 3 (19 April)

- Artist Sumeyye Mihemed will take the stage with a musical performance.

- A video presentation will follow, introducing several participants from outside Rojava who contributed to the festival, including members of the Preparatory Committee.

- At the end of the festival, certificates of appreciation will be presented to all participants, and awards will be given to three women in recognition of their outstanding contributions.