What Happened During 2025? The most prominent activities, events in fields of culture, art, literature

The year 2025 in the Autonomous Administration region of North and East Syria was rich in cultural, artistic, and literary activities and programs. Cultural, artistic, and literary institutions, centers, and movements added a distinctive character to the year through their diverse programs.

Music

During this year, the Barkin Center for Research and Documentation released 12 epic songs performed by artist Qasim Sharo, namely:

(Kankinê, Here Xwe Megir, Rewşenê, Melko, Her Holê, Bêrute Binefşo, Bêrute Hey Lawê, Bêrute Baranê, Bêrute Tu Rabe, Bêrute Dunyayê, Bêrute Barank Wa Di Barî, Bêrute Rim Hilanî).

The Mesopotamian Movement for Democratic Culture and Art (TEV-ÇAND) released 24 songs and music videos between January 7 and December 13.

One of these videos, “Farewell (Oxir be),” produced on May 25, was dedicated to commemorating our correspondent Jihan Bilgin and journalist Nazim Dashtan, who were martyred on December 19 of last year in a drone airstrike carried out by the Turkish occupying state.

Between January 24 and December 17, Hunergeha Welat (Welat Studio) released 10 songs, music videos, and musical works. The most prominent among them were the video clip “The Love of Derwêşê Evdî (Evîna Derwêşê Evdî),” released on July 31, and “The Dam Is Ours (Bendava Me Ye),” released on February 9 during the Turkish occupation’s attacks on Tishrin Dam.

From February to October, the Hîlala Zêrîn Women’s Culture Movement, Mazkin Studio, and Women’s Cinema in Rojava released nine songs and music videos, including “The Syrian Woman,” which highlights women’s struggle, and “Tol,” which focuses on resistance against the mentality of patriarchal domination.

Between June 4 and August 19, the Barkin Center for Research and Documentation released three songs and music videos, most notably “Stîyên Xweristî.”

Exhibitions

Between February 20 and October 1, five photography and fine art exhibitions were inaugurated. The most impactful exhibition was held at Tishrin Dam on the 44th day of the dam-guarding vigil, where 24 photographs of resistance martyrs were displayed.

Museum Documenting ISIS Crimes

On June 9, the Culture Authority of North and East Syria inaugurated the “Unforgettable Memories” Museum in Raqqa, featuring photographs and tools documenting the crimes and violations committed by ISIS mercenaries.

Documentary Films

Throughout the year, the Barkin Center for Research and Documentation continued producing documentary films related to the region’s customs, traditions, and culture. This resulted in three documentary films: Îsre û Kiwar, Destar, and Conî.

Libraries

During the months of March, September, October, and November, four libraries and cultural centers were opened in the cities of Raqqa, Qamishlo, Tirbespiyê, and Hasakah. Shilar Library, inaugurated in Qamishlo, is considered one of the largest libraries in North and East Syria. The cultural center opened in Hasakah has drawn attention for its activities related to Armenian culture.

Festivals

The Mesopotamian Movement for Democratic Culture and Art and its communes (Theater Commune, Music Commune, and Dabke Commune), culture authorities in various cantons, Rojava University, the Hîlala Zêrîn Women’s Culture Movement, the Young Women’s Union, the Syrian Revolutionary Youth Movement, the Syriac Cultural Association, the Union of Intellectuals of Jazira Canton, and the Yek Bar Center for Culture and Art organized 23 cultural and artistic festivals across the cities of Qamishlo, Hasakah, Amuda, Raqqa, Tabqa, Kobani, and the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods of Aleppo, at various dates during March, April, May, June, September, October, November, and December.

Among the most notable events were:

The 7th Martyr Yekta Herkol Theater Festival in Qamishlo (March 27–April 11),

The Nûjiyan Women’s Film Festival in Qamishlo (May 25–30),

The 7th Martyr Ronahî Bawer Folk Dance Festival in Qamishlo (September 15–17),

The 6th Martyr Bawer Akar Culture, Art, and Sports Festival in Kobani (October 11–13),

The 2nd Democratic Nation Culture Festival in Amuda (October 29),

The 5th Rojava International Film Festival in Qamishlo (November 13–20), with participation from all four parts of Kurdistan and other countries.

Competitions and Exhibitions

The year 2025 also witnessed prominent literary activities and programs, most notably Literature Week, the Future Book Competition, the Kurdish Youth Poetry Competition, and the 9th edition of the Martyr Herkol International Book Fair.

Publishing Activities

During this year, the Literature Council of North and East Syria, which evaluates writers’ works and issues publishing decisions, approved the publication of 56 books out of 104 submitted titles.

Additionally, Shilar Publications, the Kurdish Language Foundation, Ava Publishing House, Mesopotamia Publishing House, Naqsh Publishing House, Icona Publishing House, the Union of Intellectuals of al-Jazira Canton, and the Union of Intellectuals of Rojava Kurdistan collectively published 115 books.

Training

The Mesopotamian Movement for Democratic Culture and Art organized the “Summer Arts for Children” program as a training activity across 10 centers in North and East Syria, where children showcased their talents in theater, painting, and music.

Women’s Cinema in Rojava also organized a workshop to train future female filmmakers across North and East Syria, with the participation of 20 women.

ANHA