Kurdish Heritage Takes Center Stage at Damascus International Fair
The pavilion, participating for the first time in the fair’s history, showcases Kurdish traditional clothing, music, handicrafts and historical heritage as part of Syria’s diverse cultural landscape.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Kurdish heritage has taken a prominent place at the Damascus International Fair, where a dedicated Kurdish pavilion is participating for the first time in the history of the longstanding event, offering visitors a vivid display of traditional culture, folklore and craftsmanship.
The pavilion presents a broad collection reflecting different aspects of Kurdish life and heritage, including embroidered traditional clothing, antique musical instruments, handmade and copper crafts, historical documents, handmade carpets and natural soap.
Shukri Subari, one of the pavilion’s organizers, described the participation as an exceptional event.
“This is the first time a Kurdish pavilion has been held at the Damascus International Fair,” he said. “We opened the activities by presenting folkloric and musical performances and handmade household products, in addition to displaying authentic Kurdish products, including clothing, carpets and soap as traditional handicrafts passed down through generations.”
Akid Khalil Sarour, a member of the Walat Kurdish dabke troupe, said the participation extends beyond artistic performances to encompass broader elements of Kurdish popular heritage.
“We seek to highlight old customs and traditions, such as the gifts presented to newlyweds, as well as traditions related to livestock raising and agriculture, alongside traditional musical instruments that tell the history of our artistic heritage,” he said.
Muaz Yacoub, Kurdish media director at the SANA news agency and a member of the folk dance troupe, expressed his pride in taking part in the event.
“I am very proud to be in the capital, Damascus, participating in a fair whose history spans more than 63 years,” he said. “Our presence in the Kurdish pavilion for the first time is a confirmation of our existence and authenticity through the language of art and music, and a message of love demonstrating the deep-rooted presence of this component in its homeland.”
The pavilion has also attracted notable public interest, with visitors expressing their appreciation for the cultural displays.
Zina Bakr, a visitor to the pavilion, said: “The pavilion is very beautiful and joyful. It presents traditional and folkloric performances that reflect the beauty of Kurdish heritage and enrich our visit to the fair.”
The pavilion’s organizers said the participation represents an important step toward promoting cultural exchange and mutual recognition.
They emphasized that presenting Kurdish heritage alongside Syria’s other local cultures reflects the concept of “unity in diversity” and contributes to a broader shared Syrian national identity within a common cultural framework.