Kurdish youth brought their culture to life in South Korea through dance, finding connection across traditions
In a vibrant and remarkable event, the Sama Group of the Kurdistan Education Society—affiliated with the Directorate of Student Activities and Arts in Sulaymaniyah schools and established in 2016—embarked on an artistic journey to South Korea, where they presented a captivating Kurdish cultural performance at Seoul National University.
The group’s journey was made possible through the support and facilitation of Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region. The group’s supervisors expressed deep appreciation: “We are very grateful to His Excellency Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region, who was the main supporter of this journey. His initiative provided a golden opportunity for these young performers to showcase Kurdistan’s culture on an international stage.”
The performance began with the Kurdish girls performing the “Puchae Chum”—a traditional Korean fan dance—while wearing colorful Korean costumes. They then transitioned into a traditional Kurdish folk dance, dressed in vibrant Razawi-style Kurdish attire. The performance was met with enthusiastic applause and admiration from the Korean audience, who were particularly impressed by the synchronized movements, upbeat Kurdish music, and vivid costumes.
Audience members praised the blend of cultures. One attendee said: “It was my first time experiencing your culture and dance—it was truly beautiful. I felt there were shared elements between us, especially the value both cultures place on collective dancing and harmony. I sensed a closeness in spirit between our peoples.”
In a moment that highlighted the depth of the cultural exchange, a South Korean university professor remarked: “This event brought great diversity. Despite our differences, we found common ground and realized that we are all human.”
In addition to the main performance, the group took part in several cultural activities. They visited historical villages and castles, dressed in traditional Hanbok (Korean clothing), took photos, and explored Korean cuisine and daily life, further enriching the experience and building bridges between the two cultures.
The Kurdish Globe