Intellectuals and artists from different regions of Rojava will participate in the 8th Rojava Culture and Art festival, organized by the Rojava Kurdistan Intellectuals Union, which will be held at the Union’s center between 11-25 November. Last year the festival was cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ehmed Huseynî, member of the Steering Committee of the Rojava Intellectual Union and Responsible for the Events Committee, spoke to ANHA about the 8th festival and said that the slogan, this year, will be "We are here from the last drop of ink to the last drop of blood".

Huseynî said that the first festival was held in Wuppertal, Germany, in 2014, and added: “The festival was held in Europe every year until the Union of Intellectuals opened its headquarters in Northern and Eastern Syria. Since then, it has been held in Rojava. It was first held in Kobanê and later in Qamishlo.”

Cultural work continued throughout the years

Referring to the importance of this year's festival, Huseynî said: “Despite the difficult conditions in the region, we are still proving to the world that we can create beautiful things, be it poetry, stories, films or short stories, that we are creative.”

Huseynî continued: "The festival brings the Kurdish people close to their culture, beliefs and traditions, explains their pain and difficulties, and thus represents the spirit of unity in the territory where they live."

Huseynî saiî that he expected many writers, intellectuals and artists from all regions of Northern and Eastern Syria to attend the festival. “It was within our plan to include Kurdish writers from Bashur Kurdistan, as well. However, the situation and borders in BashureKurdistan are an obstacle to this.”

Program of events

Huseynî said that there will be nights where poetry, story, theatre and Kurdish films will be screened. He added that 25 short films will be presented and seminars are expected to be organized during the festival.