The annual Literature Week began on 3 May in the city of Hesekê, in the Cizir Canton. Organized by a group of intellectuals, the event is held in a different city each year. It draws significant attention from both writers and literary enthusiasts. Throughout the week, a variety of seminars and panels are held, addressing different literary topics.

Different themes are explored each year

Kemal Necim said that preparations for Literature Week begin at the start of each year. He emphasized that the Literature Council plays a major role in organizing the activities, highlighting the richness of the event’s content through its wide range of panels and seminars.

Necim also underlined the importance of addressing the suffering experienced in the region as part of this year’s program. He told ANHA: “With this event, we want to bring the lived experiences of this region to a wider audience. The people here have endured immense pain. We believe that dialogue must be strengthened in order to put an end to this suffering. Events like this one help to build spaces for dialogue.”

Literature is resistance and reconstruction

Necim added that their aim in organizing Literature Week is to breathe new life into the region’s cultural sphere. He explained that they are seeking ways to overcome the obstacles faced by Kurdish literature, which has endured systematic attacks for decades.

Necim noted that literature in Syria has faced bans and repression and added: “Since the beginning of the revolution, we have aimed to promote literature through events like Literature Week. We wanted to create a space where writers can openly discuss the challenges they face in this field. We are now presented with a genuine opportunity to rebuild the literary sphere. We want to break free from the grip of the old regime’s oppression and elevate literature to a better place.”

Cultural dialogue fostered through literature

Necim stated that Literature Week also serves as a space where important issues are discussed, and cultural dialogue is encouraged in the region. He emphasized that the former regime fostered divisions among communities, which in turn weakened dialogue. He noted that Literature Week serves as an attempt to overcome these divisions and to strengthen intercultural understanding.

The event will continue until 8 May and will feature three seminars and three panel discussions. Poems and short stories in both Kurdish and Arabic will also be read during the week.