'Power of the people'

Statue commemorating 1991 Kurdish uprising unveiled in Raparin

2024-08-18 | 23:16

RAPARIN — A statue commemorating the 1991 Kurdish uprising was unveiled Sunday in Ranya’s market, a site of historical significance where the first gunshot of the uprising was fired. The ceremony, held at 6:00 p.m. in front of the Najiya Khan Mosque, marked a symbolic tribute to the event that ignited a widespread rebellion across the Kurdistan Region.

The Kurdish uprising began in Ranya on March 5, 1991, before rapidly spreading to cities and towns, reaching Kirkuk by March 20. Within days, major cities such as Sulaymaniyah, Erbil, and Duhok saw large-scale uprisings, solidifying the rebellion’s momentum.

The statue, created by sculptor Ayoub Ahmad, is intended as a lasting symbol of the uprising. Ahmad told 964media, “The statue was crafted precisely at the location where the first shot of the uprising occurred. We also incorporated the original electric pole from that period into the sculpture.”

Ahmad elaborated on the artistic inspiration, stating, “The pole had become an eyesore in the market, so we decided to repurpose it as part of a statue that both honors the uprising and improves the city’s visual appeal.”

The 1991 uprising, although suppressed by the Ba’ath regime, was a critical moment in Kurdish history, leading to the establishment of the Kurdistan Region’s semiautonomous status and its regional government.

The statue took five months to complete and stands on a base measuring 160 centimeters, with a height of 120 centimeters. It was constructed using iron, marble fragments, and polyester.

“The statue is composed of three elements, each symbolizing different aspects of the uprising. The colors of the Kurdistan flag have been incorporated to represent the strength of the revolution, the resilience of the people, and the persistence of change,” Ahmad added.

This marks the fourth statue Ayoub Ahmad has created for Ranya. His previous works include the Monument of the Uprising, the Peshmerga statue in Derwaza Park, and a sculpture of a child and dolphin in the public park of Ranya.

The city of Ranya was later renamed Raparin – uprising in Kurdish – in recognition of its pivotal role in sparking the 1991 Kurdish rebellion.