The 8th edition of the Kurdistan Culture Week is taking place in Brussels from 15 to 18 August. The festivities began on 15 August with a lively folklore march through the streets of Brussels, where hundreds of Kurds presented their traditional costumes and performed traditional Kurdish govend dances, accompanied by energetic Kurdish music.
Kurdish artists from different regions in Kurdistan took to the stage to perform their songs and received enthusiastic support from the people of Brussels, many of whom showed interest in Kurdish culture and even tried to join in the Kurdish dances that were being enjoyed all over the festival square.
The festival’s programme also included a screening of the movie “Berbû“, which was produced by Sevinaz Evdike in Rojava (North and East Syria) in 2022 and portrays the story of a young girl’s fate during the war in Ras al-Ayn (Serê Kaniyê).
Different elements of Kurdish culture were brought closer to the visitors at an information stand where, for example, Kurdish children’s cradles – “dergûş” in Kurdish – were exhibited and people had the opportunity to enjoy a cup of freshly made Kurdish çay tea and warm Kurdish dishes.
A performance by a children’s choir drew the attention of many, with the children showing their connection to their culture, proudly displayed their Kurdish origin. Music is an important part of Kurdish culture, standing for the active resistance of the Kurdish people against assimilation policies such as those in Turkey or Syria, where the Kurdish language and culture are strongly suppressed.
The festival will continue until 18 August, with many more performances by well-known Kurdish artists and a large audience in attendance.
