Erbil, the capital of Kurdistan, hosted the third Raman Festival amid a rich cultural and literary atmosphere, drawing writers, poets, intellectuals, and cultural figures from across the region and beyond.
The festival opened with the national anthem “Ey Raqib” and a moment of silence for the martyrs, coinciding with Kurdistan Flag Day. Key attendees included Dr. Salar Osman, Head of the Culture and Media Department of the KDP, Omid Khoshnaw, Governor of Erbil, Aryan Salahadin, Deputy Minister of Culture and Youth, as well as guests from Europe and neighbouring countries.
Azad Abdulwahid, festival supervisor, welcomed the guests and outlined the objectives of the festival. Dr. Salar Osman highlighted the significance of Raman Magazine as a unifying cultural institution, stating that the magazine brings people together despite differences in thought and opinion. He also emphasised the festival’s main theme, “Kurdish Identity in the Digital Age,” focusing on preserving Kurdish identity amid technology and globalisation.
The festival featured a documentary film exploring the theme of identity in the digital era and included a tribute to Prof. Dr. Hamid Aziz, recognising his contributions to Kurdish literature, thought, and philosophy.
In a display of cultural dialogue, four poets from different nations performed on the festival stage. Attendees also visited the photography exhibition “Poles of Shining Stars” by Chawan Bakhtiar and Hema Salar. Over the two-day festival, numerous scientific, literary, and cultural panels were held, further highlighting the richness of Kurdish culture and intellectual life.
