Sulaimani Marks 242nd Founding Anniversary With Cultural Celebrations
Sulaimani celebrates its 242nd founding anniversary on Nov. 14 with Kurdish dance, cultural exhibitions and events highlighting its historic political legacy.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Sulaimani marks the 242nd anniversary of its founding on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, with a day of Kurdish folk performances, cultural exhibitions and artistic events celebrating a city whose history is closely linked to political movements and intellectual life in Kurdistan.
Founded in 1784 by Ibrahim Pasha Baban, Sulaimani served as the capital of the Baban Principality and developed into a center of trade, literature and political activity. Its founding anniversary is commemorated each year on Nov. 14, bringing residents together through events that reflect the city's heritage.
Kurdistan24 correspondent Hawzhin Jamal reported that this year's program is scheduled to begin in the morning and continue into the evening, with the historic Sara courtyard among the main venues.
Traditional Arts at Sara Courtyard
At noon, the Kurdistan National Folk Arts Ensemble, working with several other organizations, is scheduled to present a program featuring traditional Kurdish dance, a food festival, handicrafts and an exhibition of clothing associated with Sulaimani's cultural traditions.
The events will give visitors opportunities to experience different elements of Kurdish heritage in one place, from the city's traditional dress to the food and craftsmanship associated with local communities.
Jamal said another exhibition at the Sara courtyard will display paintings and portraits of prominent figures from Sulaimani province, produced by an artist as part of the anniversary activities.
Together, the performances and exhibitions will place cultural expression at the center of the commemoration, while recalling the people and traditions that have shaped the city's identity.
Organizers have completed preparations, according to Jamal, and security personnel have been deployed to help manage traffic and pedestrian movement around the activities.
"All preparations have been completed, and security forces have been deployed to prevent congestion caused by drivers and citizens," she said.
The arrangements come as events are expected to attract residents throughout the day. The announced schedule includes a midday performance and additional activities, although no official attendance estimate was provided.
From the Baban Capital to a Political Center
Sulaimani was established on Nov. 14, 1784, by Ibrahim Pasha Baban, who named it after his father, Sulaiman Pasha. The new city became the seat of the Baban Principality, assuming an administrative role alongside its growing commercial significance.
Over time, the city also developed a reputation as a meeting place for intellectuals, writers and political activists. Its history includes involvement in revolutions and uprisings, giving Sulaimani a place in the wider history of Kurdish political movements.
Between 1922 and 1924, Sulaimani served as the capital of the state established by King Mahmud. That chapter remains part of its political legacy and is among the developments that distinguish its history from a purely commercial or administrative account.
The anniversary therefore marks more than the establishment of a city. It recalls a place that became associated with government, intellectual debate and efforts to shape Kurdistan's political future.
A Glimpse of Sulaimani in 1955
Historical figures published by the Zhin newspaper offer a picture of the city's development by the middle of the twentieth century.
According to the publication, Sulaimani covered approximately 20.25 million square meters in 1955 and had nearly 60,000 residents living in around 7,000 houses.
At that time, it consisted of six principal neighborhoods: Kani Askan, Goizha, Malkandi, Sarshaqam, Chwarbakh and Dargazen.
The figures capture a moment in Sulaimani's urban history, when its population and residential neighborhoods had grown far beyond the city established under Ibrahim Pasha Baban.
As the anniversary events unfold at Sara courtyard on Saturday, they bring those layers of history into the present, celebrating the traditions of a city that has long combined cultural life with an important role in Kurdistan's political and intellectual history.