Memorial corner opens in Kirkuk for Turkmen Quryat artist Habe

KIRKUK, Iraq — A memorial corner honoring the late Turkmen Quryat artist known as Habe was opened at a coffeehouse in central Kirkuk, the Kayseri Bazaar's Urfa Geceleri café, where the artist once worked. The unveiling brought together a group of Kirkuk's recognized Quryat performers, former colleagues of the artist, and members of the city's art and cultural circles. Mohammed Kiya, vice president of the Turkmen Artists Union, owner of the café Huti Agha, and other cultural figures attended the ceremony, which was organized to preserve the legacy of the Turkmen musical tradition known as Quryat. The gathering brought together performers, former colleagues and supporters of the late artist in a venue long associated with Kirkuk's Turkmen cultural life. Kiya said Habe had contributed to reviving Quryat and helping re-establish the traditional music genre in Kirkuk. He described the memorial corner as a tribute to the artist's career and said it was intended to serve as a meeting point for cultural and artistic exchanges. The artist said such spaces were important for introducing younger generations to Habe's legacy and to the identity of Quryat. Kiya also called on relevant public institutions, cultural organizations and bodies supporting Turkmen heritage to provide greater support for historical and cultural sites in the city.