The city of Zakho came alive with color, music, and tradition as it hosted the third annual Shal and Shapk Festival, celebrating Kurdish heritage and drawing cultural groups from across and beyond the Kurdistan Region.
The two-day festival, which began on April 29, featured a vibrant mix of cultural panels during the mornings and lively folkloric performances each evening near the iconic Delal Bridge. Organized by the independent administration of Zakho, the event has steadily grown into a cultural highlight, attracting both participants and visitors from near and far.
Dilkhwaz Mousa, the festival supervisor, highlighted the festival’s growing diversity: “This year, we welcomed 30 traditional clothing exhibitors, including many young men and women, as well as Kurdish cultural groups from Khorasan, Kermanshah, Badlis, and Qamishlo. Other regional guests also joined to celebrate our shared heritage.”
Musical performances added to the festive spirit, with renowned Kurdish artists Hassan Sharif and Shahrivana Kurdi taking the stage alongside local talent. The Hayran singers’ group from Erbil was among several musical ensembles that performed, further enriching the cultural showcase.
Since its inception, the Shal and Shapk Festival has become a major tourist draw for Zakho, spotlighting the region’s cultural richness and fostering connections among Kurdish communities across borders.
