The Spanish Ambassador to Iraq, Alicia Rico Pérez del Pulgar, concluded a significant three-day diplomatic mission to the Kurdistan Region, participating in international academic symposiums at Sulaimaniya and Halabja Universities while also attending the prestigious Delphi Forum in Slemani. The Ambassador’s visit highlighted growing Spanish-Kurdish relations through academic collaboration, cultural exchange, and economic dialogue, culminating in a poignant visit to the Halabja Monument where she pledged to raise awareness about the chemical attack genocide in international forums.
Building Bridges Through Academic Collaboration
Ambassador Alicia Rico Pérez del Pulgar’s visit to Kurdistan began with her participation in the Delphi Forum Slemani on May 18-19, 2025, where she joined a panel discussion focused on “The Common Future on Economic Growth and Stability.” During this high-profile regional forum, the Spanish diplomat shared valuable insights on strengthening economic ties between Spain and the Kurdistan Region, emphasizing opportunities for bilateral cooperation in various sectors.
The Ambassador’s visit featured two distinct yet thematically connected international symposiums. The first, held at the University of Sulaimaniya on May 19, focused on “Political, Cultural, and Linguistic Relations Between Aryan and Iberian Language Peoples.” The second symposium, organized jointly by the University of Halabja and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, took place on May 20 at Halabja University’s Central Library, continuing the scholarly discourse on connections between Kurdish and Spanish cultures. Both events brought together academics from both regions to explore their multifaceted historical, linguistic, and cultural relationships.
The opening ceremony of the first symposium at Sulaimaniya University featured remarks from Professor Dr. Kosar M. Ali Murad, President of the University of Sulaimaniya, alongside the Spanish Ambassador and representatives from the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Department of Foreign Relations. This symposium included three specialized panels examining cultural-political connections between Spain and Kurdistan, historical ties dating back to the medieval period, and linguistic relationships between Kurdish and Spanish.
“These academic collaborations represent important steps in strengthening the cultural understanding between our peoples,” Ambassador Rico Pérez del Pulgar remarked during her address. “The connections between Kurdish and Iberian cultures have deep historical roots that deserve scholarly attention and celebration.”
Exploring Historical and Cultural Narratives
On May 20, the second international symposium commenced at Halabja University’s Central Library, where Professor Dr. Bamo Parwez Aziz, President of Halabja University, welcomed the Spanish delegation. This symposium, while addressing similar themes of cultural exchange, featured its own distinct academic program with panels specifically exploring Spanish historical perspectives on Kurdistan, representations of Kurdish women in Spanish media, and comparative cultural identity studies.
Presentations by scholars from both Spanish and Kurdish institutions included topics such as “Spanish attention to Kurdistan in the 19th century,” “The image of Kurdish women in the Spanish press between heroism and exoticization,” and “From Granada to Halabja: People’s voices on Culture and Identity.”
Dr. Hoshman Ata Mahmod of Halabja University presented a particularly compelling comparative analysis of cultural resilience in both Granada and Halabja, drawing parallels between distinct historical experiences while exploring themes of cultural preservation and revival in both regions.
The symposium created a platform for meaningful academic exchange, establishing foundations for continued research collaboration between Kurdish and Spanish institutions. Attendees noted the significance of such international academic partnerships in enriching scholarly discourse and fostering intercultural understanding beyond traditional diplomatic channels.
Honoring History and Looking Forward
Following her participation in the academic symposium at Halabja University, Ambassador Rico Pérez del Pulgar, accompanied by Professor Dr. Bamo Parwez Aziz and Dr. Rebwar Zainadin, Dean of the College of Basic Education, visited the Halabja Monument honoring victims of the 1988 chemical attack.
The Spanish diplomat was visibly moved as she toured the memorial site, which commemorates the thousands of Kurdish civilians who perished in one of history’s most devastating chemical weapons attacks. During her visit to the monument, the Ambassador pledged to engage with Spanish authorities to raise international awareness about the Halabja genocide.
“What happened in Halabja must never be forgotten by the international community,” the Ambassador stated. “I commit to discussing this historical tragedy with my government to ensure the memory of these events continues to inform our collective commitment to preventing such atrocities.”
University officials expressed appreciation for the Ambassador’s gesture, noting the importance of international recognition of the Halabja tragedy. “The Ambassador’s visit to our memorial site sends a powerful message about Spain’s commitment to human rights and historical truth,” remarked a representative from Halabja University’s international relations department.
The three-day diplomatic mission reflected Spain’s growing interest in strengthening ties with the Kurdistan Region across multiple domains—academic, cultural, and economic. As Ambassador Rico Pérez del Pulgar concluded her visit, both Kurdish and Spanish representatives expressed optimism about future collaborations stemming from these engagements.
The successful international symposium, coupled with the Ambassador’s participation in the Delphi Forum and her meaningful visit to the Halabja Monument, underscores the evolving relationship between Spain and Kurdistan—one increasingly characterized by mutual respect, scholarly exchange, and shared humanitarian values.
