Inaugural session of Syriac Theater Festival concludes with artistic celebrations

ANKAWA, Kurdistan Region of Iraq — The inaugural session of the Syriac Theater Festival, organized by the General Directorate of Syriac Culture and Arts in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), reached its grand finale on Saturday evening in Ankawa District, Erbil Governorate. Spanning from the 14–16 December, the festival showcased a vibrant array of theatrical performances, discussions, and artistic celebrations.

The concluding day commenced with a morning discussion panel at the Hyksos Hotel titled “Dr. Auni Karume: A Career Full of Achievements and Visions.” Following insightful conversations, Dr. Karume’s family received the festival shield in recognition of his impactful contributions.

The evening segment featured two captivating theatrical performances: “Mem” by the Institute of Fine Arts in Baghdede and “Croa” by the Bima band. The Parmaya Syriac troupe from Zalin (Qamishli), North and East Syria, then delighted the audience with a traditional folk dance performance, reflecting the rich heritage of the Syriac people.

The festival’s jury, in its final statement, provided valuable recommendations and proposals aimed at advancing Syriac theater in Iraq. The closing ceremony, hosted at the Chaldean Culture Association, witnessed the distribution of appreciation shields to the jury members, festival organizers, and the distinguished winners across categories such as best script, acting, scenography, and theatrical direction.