A vibrant Kurdish cultural showcase concluded a major academic conference in Sulaymaniyah. The Art and Country group from Rojava delivered several stunning performances. Furthermore, they beautifully blended Kurdish poetry with traditional music. They also integrated contemporary dance with a global dimension. Consequently, the audience was completely captivated.
The Art and Country center was founded in 2014. Moreover, it has become a leading cultural institution since then. It now operates across all four parts of Kurdistan. Additionally, its work has resonated widely over eleven years.
Khoshman Qado, a poet and co-founder of the group, recently discussed its mission. He emphasized the importance of their long-term work. He also dedicated the recent performance to a fallen comrade. Specifically, co-founder Welat was martyred fighting ISIS. Therefore, this vibrant Kurdish cultural showcase carried deep emotional significance.
One performer, Rojda, has a particularly interesting story. Her real name is Natalia and she is from Brazil. She works as a choreographer and trainer for the group. She also speaks Kurdish fluently. She chose her Kurdish name for its meaning. “Roj” means sun and symbolizes light for her.
Rojda is a master of classical ballet and contemporary dance. She explained her creative process for Kurdish works. She conducts deep research into Kurdish music and rhythm. She finds Kurdish rhythm different from Brazilian patterns. However, she loves the challenge because she is passionate. This dedication fuels the vibrant Kurdish cultural showcase.
Rojda wore traditional Kurdish clothes during the interview. She also spoke about her connection to Kurdistan. She misses Brazil because it is her homeland. But she now feels Kurdistan is also her home. This personal connection enriches her artistic contributions.
The concert served as the closing event for the conference. The conference ran from September 25th to 27th, 2025. It was hosted at the American University of Sulaymaniyah. Many international Kurdologists, linguists, and researchers attended. The event featured numerous cultural and academic activities. It focused on Kurdish language, politics, and society. The group’s performance provided a living example of the culture discussed academically. This final vibrant Kurdish cultural showcaseperfectly bridged theory and practice. It demonstrated the enduring power and dynamism of Kurdish artistic expression.