December 17 marked across the Region with traditional dress, ceremonies, and renewed calls for cohesion.
The people of the Kurdistan Region marked Kurdistan Flag Day on December 17 with traditional clothing, ceremonies, and a wide range of cultural and official activities, reaffirming the flag’s place as a powerful symbol of unity and sacrifice.
Flag Day, officially designated by the Kurdistan Parliament, is observed annually to commemorate the first hoisting of the Kurdistan flag on December 17, 1945, corresponding to the 26th of Sarmawez in the Kurdish calendar. On that historic day, the flag was raised in Mahabad during a ceremony attended by thousands from all four parts of Kurdistan. In 2009, the Kurdistan Parliament formally recognized the date as Kurdistan Flag Day.
This year, celebrations took place across government institutions, schools, and public spaces, where the Kurdistan flag was raised and traditional Kurdish attire was widely worn. The events reflected both pride in national identity and respect for the sacrifices made to protect it.
The Presidency and Government of the Kurdistan Region played an active role in the commemorations. President Nechirvan Barzani attended a special ceremony, delivering a speech that highlighted the flag as a unifying national symbol.
“The Kurdistan flag is our identity, the unifier of the people of Kurdistan, and a living memory,” President Barzani said. “It bears witness to our people’s long journey of patience and resilience. On mountain peaks, in cities, and in villages, the children of this land held this flag high and defended the right of their people to exist.”
He emphasized that unity remains the foundation of Kurdistan’s strength. “This flag brings us together beyond political, religious, and ethnic differences,” he said, calling on citizens to work collectively for a stable, just, and strong Kurdistan. He added that honoring the sacrifices of martyrs requires more than words, stressing the importance of protecting achievements, strengthening institutions, upholding the rule of law, and improving public services.
Prime Minister Masrour Barzani also marked the occasion by raising the flag and issuing a statement honoring the sacrifices associated with it. “Throughout history, this flag has many times become the final shroud for thousands of martyrs,” he said. “To keep it flying, countless others endured prisons, executions, and hardship on mountains and plains. It is the duty of all of us to keep this flag raised.”
The Kurdistan flag, a sacred national symbol, has passed through multiple historical stages. Its design dates back to 1919, when it was first raised by the Society for the Rise of Kurdistan (Civaka Kurdistanê) in Istanbul by Kurdish intellectuals and political figures.
For many across the Region, Flag Day is not only a celebration, but a reminder of shared history, enduring struggle, and the collective responsibility to safeguard Kurdistan’s future under one flag.
The Kurdish Globe