Qamishlo to celebrate centennial with cultural, heritage program

August 20, 2026, marks the centennial of Qamishlo's founding in Syria's Jazira region. Over the past 100 years, the city has become a model of coexistence among its Kurdish, Arab, Syriac-Assyrian, Armenian and Circassian communities, while also welcoming waves of displaced people from different parts of Syria in recent years.

As part of the preparations, the People's Municipality of Qamishlo has formed an organizing committee to develop a celebration program documenting the city's history and journey since its establishment a century ago.

The planned events include cultural, artistic and heritage activities reflecting the city's rich diversity, with folkloric groups representing its various communities, as well as Arab, Kurdish and Syriac artists performing at evening events celebrating the values of coexistence and mutual respect.

The committee is also preparing a documentary film tracing Qamishlo's history from its founding through its major historical, social and cultural milestones to the present day. The film aims to introduce younger generations to their city's history and highlight its cultural legacy.

The program will also honor a number of elderly social, cultural and national figures who witnessed the city's early years and contributed to its development, in recognition of their role in preserving Qamishlo's collective memory and passing it on to future generations.

According to the People's Municipality, preparations are moving forward rapidly to deliver a celebration worthy of the city's first centennial, reflecting its historical significance and bringing together residents from all communities to commemorate a century of Qamishlo's history.

A-H

ANHA