Preparations for the 27th Galawezh International Festival are underway, with novelists, poets, and scholars from across Kurdistan and beyond expected to gather in Sulaymaniyah this December. The event promises a wide array of cultural and literary activities, despite ongoing political tensions. In parallel, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) has emphasized its legitimate right to peacefully reclaim the Chawder Center building following Mala Bakhtiar’s departure, refuting any claims of military involvement or infringement on freedom of expression.
Galawezh International Festival Preparations Underway
The 27th Galawezh International Festival is set to take place in early December in Sulaymaniyah, attracting a diverse gathering of novelists, poets, researchers, and thinkers from the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, Turkey, Iran, and Europe. This year’s festival will feature discussions and presentations focused on poetry, storytelling, and academic research. Dr. Ibtissam Ismail Qadir, president of the Galawezh Center, stated that preparations are ongoing, with the festival’s guidelines announced two weeks ago, inviting submissions in poetry, fiction, and research.
“Submissions will be accepted via email over the next two months,” Dr. Qadir explained. She reassured that the current political climate will not impact the festival’s preparations or execution, as the Galawezh Center operates independently of political issues. Once the submission period ends, the collected works will be evaluated, and the festival will kick off as scheduled. Prominent scholars and public figures from across the four parts of Kurdistan, the Arab world, and Europe are expected to participate in discussions on intellectual and research issues.
PUK Moves to Reclaim Chawder Center Building
In a related development, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) has taken steps to reclaim the Chawder Center building following the departure of former member Mala Bakhtiar. In a statement issued by the PUK’s Political Bureau, the party stressed its right to peacefully reclaim the building, citing that Bakhtiar had no intention of continuing to operate the center under the PUK’s umbrella.
The PUK’s statement clarified that the reclaiming of the Chawder Center is not an attack on freedom of expression, a value the party strongly upholds. “This action has nothing to do with opposing free thought,” the statement emphasized, “and the PUK has always supported freedom of the press and expanded democratic boundaries.” The party further expressed its commitment to maintaining Sulaymaniyah’s reputation as the cultural capital of Kurdistan, noting that its efforts to reorganize its centers are intended to better serve the people of the region.
PUK Denies Military Involvement, Criticizes KDP Media
The PUK’s statement also firmly rejected allegations that military force was being used to take control of the Chawder Center, labeling such rumors as false. “We reject all rumors about the movement of military forces to take back the building,” the statement read. In a pointed critique, the PUK accused a faction within the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) of using its media outlets to spread misinformation regarding the situation.
The PUK urged the KDP to focus on releasing imprisoned activists and journalists rather than making false claims about freedom of the press. “If they are concerned about freedom of expression, they should begin by addressing the detention of activists in Erbil and Badinan,” the PUK stated. The Political Bureau also confirmed ownership of the Chawder Center, presenting legal documents to verify the claim, while defending Sulaymaniyah’s legacy as a bastion of freedom and democracy in Kurdistan.
