A Kirkuk-based troupe performs “Salma” in Kurdish and traditional attire at the eighth International “Ostrovsky-Fest” Theatre Festival, highlighting the Anfal genocide and Kurdish cultural identity.
For the first time at the international festival, a Kurdish theatre troupe performed in its native language while wearing traditional Kurdish attire, bringing the experiences and cultural heritage of the Kurdish people to an international audience in Russia.
The Hawaar Theatre Troupe from Kirkuk participated in the eighth International “Ostrovsky-Fest” Theatre Festival in Kineshma, in Russia’s Ivanovo Oblast, representing Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
The troupe presented “Salma,” a theatrical production that portrays the Anfal genocide and the forced displacement of people in Kurdistan. The play combines artistic expression with historical memory, presenting one of the most painful chapters in Kurdish history to audiences beyond the region.
Nezhad Najm, director of the play, said the troupe’s participation marked the first time a Kurdish theatre group had performed at the festival in traditional national clothing and in the Kurdish language.
“This is a major achievement in presenting the Kurdish cause and giving it a voice through art,” Najm said.
The production was written by playwright Dr. Dilshad Mustafa and brought to the stage under Najm’s direction and scenography, with a professional ensemble contributing to the performance.
The presentation of “Salma” in Kurdish on a Russian stage demonstrated the ability of Kurdish theatre to cross cultural and geographical boundaries while introducing international audiences to both the historical suffering and cultural richness of the Kurdish people.
