Kirkuk theater festival set to begin in September

The Kirkuk Theater Festival, slated to start on Sept. 4, 2024, will be its largest and most diverse yet, according to Shko Omar, the festival’s director. Omar noted that preparations are progressing smoothly, with a lineup that includes theater troupes from all parts of Kurdistan and guest performers from Baghdad and Tehran.

“Theater groups from the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, as well as Turkish, Syrian, and Iranian Kurdistan, will participate,” Omar said. He added that the festival will showcase nine theater performances over five days and feature competitions for various awards.

This year’s festival will be held at iconic venues in Kirkuk, including the castle and the Roman theater, and will host a range of activities, from performances to academic discussions. “We are also preparing eight research papers to be presented in four sessions, focusing on theater research and studies,” Omar said.

A daily newspaper will be published to cover the festival’s activities, and around 100 artists and personalities are expected to attend. Omar also teased a “special surprise” for attendees but kept details under wraps.

This fourth edition of the festival honors the late writer and journalist Falakaddin Kakayi, recognizing his contributions to the arts. “Naming this year’s festival after Kakayi is our way of honoring his legacy,” Omar explained.

The festival, which began on May 1, 2019, was initially named after Jihad Dilpak, a celebrated Kurdish actor from Kirkuk. This year marks its fourth installment, with organizers optimistic about its success.