Panel on importance of children’s literature held in Sulaymaniyah
The Kurdish Writers’ Union held a panel on the importance of children’s literature in Sulaymaniyah. The panelists drew attention to how literature can shape the new generation and demanded more activities be held on this issue.
Sulaymaniyah- The Kurdish Writers’ Union held a panel on the importance of children’s literature for the new generation in Sulaymaniyah. One of the panelists, Kurdish writer Payam Ibrahim spoke on the importance of children’s literature on building the future. She pointed out that important steps have been taken for the development of children all over the world, but the opposite situation has been experienced in the Kurdistan Region and the Middle East.
“Children's literature should be given importance”
Indicating that children’s literature should be supported, Payam Ibrahim said, “A child's personality begins to be formed at the age of five. As children grow, they can have a significant impact on their society. Children's literature should be given importance to encourage children. According to research, a child should learn about 7,000 words before going to school.”
“Stories are far from reality”
Making a speech at the panel, Kurdish teacher Şûxan İsmaîl underlined the importance of holding such panels. “Languages and literatures disappear over time if the necessary importance is not given to them. For this reason, activities should be held for the new generation in order to protect languages and literatures and encourage them to be interested in literature. However, children's literature is not given importance in the Kurdistan region. Most of the stories are far from reality and not suitable for Kurdish culture and children do not understand them,” Şûxan İsmaîl said in her speech.
“There is a change in the stories now”
Storyteller and translator Fewziye Menmî said that there is a change in the stories now compared to previous scary stories written for children. ““Children writers can write when they know what they write and to whom. Therefore, the age of the children should be taken into account and they should know at what age they could start writing. Unfortunately, children’s literature in the Kurdistan Region has not developed enough. More activities should be carried out to develop the children’s literature in the region.”