Fourth Shal u Shebek Festival opens in Zakho with Kurdish cultural events

ZAHO, Iraq — The fourth edition of the Shal u Shebek Festival opened on Wednesday evening in Zakho, in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, with an inaugural ceremony attended by Masoud Barzani along with officials, artists, researchers and local residents. The festival is dedicated to promoting the traditional Kurdish garments known as shal u shebek, woven from goat hair and considered a symbol of Kurdish identity, through two days of cultural events. Organizing committee member Shivan Abdi said the program will run on the 10th and 11th of the month. Daytime activities include academic and folklore seminars coordinated with Zakho University, while a folklore market is set to open in the evening at Delal Bridge. The opening program featured traditional Kurdish dances, folk performances and musical showcases of Kurdish heritage. Performers from Armenia, Nigeria and the four parts of Kurdistan are taking part. A traditional costume parade, one of the festival's centerpiece events, is displaying Kurdish garments modeled by 40 young men and women. Organizers said the aim of the festival is to preserve Kurdish cultural heritage and introduce it to younger generations and visitors.