art and culture
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He paints his big dreams on small pieces of paper
14-year-old painter Xelil Hiso paints his big dreams on small pieces of paper. His paintings have been displayed at an art exhibition held in Aleppo. He calls on his peers to “not waste their time”.
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2,000-year-old Mount Nemrut stands firm despite destruction
2,000-year-old Mount Nemrut, located in the Kahta district of Adıyaman, is notable for the summit where a number of large statues are erected. The Hellenistic statues constructed during the Kingdom of Commagene still stand firm despite the destruction.
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Another memory center: Rojava Film Commune
On November 13, 1960, Amouda Cinema burned down in a fire and more than 200 children died inside it. Maybe the reason why there isn’t a full-fledged cinema in NE Syria. But Rojava Film Commune keeps working to positively revive the memory of people about cinema. We spoke to Nadiya Derweş, a board member of the Rojava Film Commune about cinema, what people in the region think about it, and the effects of women on cinema.
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She keeps history alive through “Mewal”
Kurdish people have tried to tell what happened to them and their legends for years through “Mewal”. Xecida Alo is one of the people trying to keep this culture alive. “Everyone should have this culture,” she said.
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Moroccan director Naima Zaitan draws attention to women’s issues
“I try to draw attention to women’s issues in my works. Everyone should produce in order to change the mentality,” Moroccan director Naima Zaitan said.
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Iranian director Niki Karimi to be jury president of Golden Scales Feature Film Competition
The jury of the Golden Scale Feature Film Competition for the 11th International Crime and Punishment Film Festival has been announced. Iranian director, producer, and actress Niki Karimi will be the jury president.
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“Kurdish art is also targeted”
“Kurdish culture and art are also targeted,” said Semira Şukeri, who grew up with the dengbêj culture, which keeps the Kurdish history and memory alive.
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Palestine Cultural Days Festival held in Lebanon
4th Festival for Palestine Cultural Days organized by Tiro Association for Arts, Lebanese National Theater, and Istanbouli Théâtre was held in Tyre, Lebanon. Many artists received awards as part of the festival. The festival honors Najwa Najjar and Leila Khaled while the theatre play named, “Freedom Tunnel” got credits by the audiences.
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Women of Moroccan writer Zahra Azz
We spoke to Moroccan writer Zahra Azz about strong female characters in her novels and her new project.
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Women share their pain at art exhibition
Women of Halabja and Duhok held an art and handicraft exhibition in Halabja. Female painters draw attention to the pain faced by women in their paintings.
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Ghaid Al Gharb wins Katara Prize for Arabic Novels
Author Ghaid Al Gharb wins the Katara Prize for Arabic Novels in the unpublished novels category. “I make my voice heard thanks to this prize.”
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Children of Sulaymaniyah carry on Buka Baranê tradition against drought
Buka Baranê (Rainbow or Bride of Rain) is a Kurdish tradition mostly performed by children. The children, who hold a stick symbolizing the bride, visit house by house to make it rain. Children living in the Şexani neighborhood of Sulaymaniyah continue to carry on this tradition. “We want it rains,” the children said.
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Iraqi Symphony Orchestra opens its curtains: We have a strong bond with music
Iraqi Symphony Orchestra opens its curtains after a two-year closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Musician Nur Mihemed states that women have a strong bond with music, “Women should be supported.
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Gazan first female street performer Rahaf Shamaly keeps singing despite criticism
Rahaf Shamaly has done something in Gaza that many people have not dared until now. She sings in the streets of Gaza.
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Story of woman using her self-defense against violence: “My Name”
Theater İmge draws attention to violence against women by stating a theatre play named “My Name”, the story of Meryem who uses her self-defense when she faces violence. Meryem faces violence for years but she keeps silent. When she sees her husband sexually abusing her daughter Gülsüm, she uses her self-defense and kills her husband. We also learn the story of Meryem’s grandmother Ayşe and her mother Hatça.
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Master of lullabies Parvin Bahmani dies at 73
Musician Parvin Bahmani, known for her lullabies, died at the age of 73 in Iran. She had reportedly suffered from many health problems.
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She tells her children about genocide to not forget those days
106 years have passed since genocide was carried out against Armenians in 1915. Feride Sewme learned what had happened to the Armenian and Christians during the genocide from her parents and now she tells her children what their grandparents faced to “Not forget those days.” Feride Sewme also drew attention to the fact that the mentality has not changed since the Ottoman period.
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Mosaics of Elibiskê village's church first stolen then sold
Mosaics of the church of the Elibiskê village were reportedly stolen and then sold. Esmehan Ehmed, the head of the Historical Site Management in NE Syria, holds Turkey responsible for the situation, “We want to bring back stolen and sold mosaics.”
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Pomegranate Festival kicks off in Halabja
The 7th Pomegranate Festival kicks off in Halabja. Many agricultural products and Kurdish dishes have been also exhibited at the festival.
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“Women should read books”
“Women should read books,” says award-winning writer Saja Hamdan.