Literary Week: correcting cultural path; overcoming legacy of exclusion

The 2025 Literary Week kicked off in the city of Hasakah in the Jazira Canton on May 3, with the participation of a select group of writers, intellectuals, poets, and storytellers from various regions of northeastern Syria. The event is organized by the Literature Bureau of North and East Syria.

The Literary Week, now in its fourth year, is one of the most prominent cultural events held annually in one of the cities of northeastern Syria, constituting an important platform for dialogue and exchange of views on literary, social, and cultural issues that have emerged over the past year.

Issues of the Year on the Discussion Table

In an exclusive interview with our agency, Kamal Najm, a member of the Literary Week's preparatory committee, said that preparations for the event begin at the beginning of each year. The Literary Diwan's management selects prominent issues that have emerged in public discourse over the past few months, then nominates specialized writers and intellectuals to discuss them. They also invite poets and writers from various regions to participate in poetry and narrative readings.

Najm added, "We are keen for the Literary Week to reflect the concerns and aspirations of the region. Therefore, we choose topics related to the social and political transformations taking place in northeastern Syria. Through this cultural event, we seek to create a climate of literary openness and constructive dialogue."

Literature as a Means of Resistance and Construction

Najm indicated that the primary goal of organizing the Literary Week is to advance the cultural scene in the region, especially after decades of systematic repression of Kurdish literature and other cultural components. He said, "Literature in northern and eastern Syria has been subject to exclusion and bans, especially with regard to the Kurdish language and its associated creative output. Since the outbreak of the revolution, we have been trying, through the Literature Diwan, to create a space for free expression and provide an opportunity for writers to discuss their experiences and the challenges they face."

He added, "We have a real opportunity to rebuild the literary field, away from the traditional frameworks imposed by the former regime. We aim to overcome the effects of old oppression through openness, dialogue, and constructive criticism."

Cultural Transformation and the Need for Communication

Regarding the issues raised this year, Najm explained that among the most prominent topics discussed during the sessions are: the effects of the political transformation after the fall of the former regime, and the importance of creating a contemporary literary model that reflects the present and meets the needs of new generations.

Kamal Najm concluded his remarks by saying, "Through this event, we call for a comprehensive cultural dialogue that frees literature from old restrictions and gives it the role it deserves in building collective awareness, so that it becomes an effective tool for change and achieving cultural and social reconciliation in the future of Syria." Literary Week Conclusion

The Literary Week is scheduled to continue until May 8th. It includes a diverse program of lectures, seminars, and poetry readings in Kurdish and Arabic, as well as book and literary exhibitions.

The organizers hope that this annual initiative will contribute to consolidating the status of literature as a bridge of communication between the various components of society and strengthening the role of intellectuals in shaping a more open and free future.

ANHA