Sulaymaniyah’s Cultural Boom Calls for Coordinated Programming

Kurdistan 07:25 PM - 2026-02-16

Sulaymaniyah city.

Sulaymaniyah, long celebrated as the Kurdistan Region’s “capital of culture,” is witnessing an unprecedented surge in literary, artistic, and intellectual activities. From conferences and book launches to environmental seminars and media interviews, the city’s cultural calendar is bustling daily.

However, the sheer number of simultaneous events has raised concerns among participants, many of whom struggle to attend activities relevant to their expertise. Cultural leaders are calling for more organised scheduling to ensure that citizens, activists, and the media can fully engage with the city’s vibrant offerings.

Participation According to Expertise

Wirya Hassan, Director of the Jamal Irfan Cultural Institute, told PUKMEDIA that their institute coordinates its events with other organisations to avoid overlap. “We hope individuals participate in activities according to their expertise,” he said, emphasising that targeted participation can help alleviate scheduling conflicts.

Since the start of 2026, the institute has hosted nine literary and cultural conferences, four media interviews, three environmental seminar series, and published six new titles in history, science, and literature. In 2025, over 115 titles were published, and collaborative projects such as donating 100,000 books to schools were completed in partnership with local foundations.

Call for an Organising Committee

Mohammed Kurdo, Deputy Director General of Culture and Arts in Sulaymaniyah, stressed the need for formal coordination. “Holding activities simultaneously is a big problem—for the institutions, the media, and participants,” he said, calling on the governor to appoint a committee to oversee the city’s cultural calendar.

Rising Cultural Activity

The growth in cultural and intellectual events is significant. 
Jamal Arez, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Kurdistan New, noted that in the last two to three years, Sulaymaniyah has seen a dramatic increase in literary, political, and cultural activities. He suggested that sharing schedules with a central coordinating body could prevent conflicts and ensure higher attendance.

Sulaymaniyah: The Capital of Culture

Sulaymaniyah’s reputation as the cultural heart of the Kurdistan Region remains strong since ancient times, with intellectuals, artists, and writers continuing to hold diverse events across the city. Enthusiastic citizen participation underscores the importance of preserving and coordinating these activities to sustain the city’s unique cultural vitality.



PUKMEDIA