Kurdish cultural event held in Damascus features music and folk dances

DAMASCUS, Syria — A Kurdish cultural event organized by the Star Development Foundation in Damascus featured performances by the Beritan and Stêr Zêrîn music groups, along with Kurdish songs and folk dances. The event drew political, cultural and artistic figures from across Syria. Muhammad Ibish, an official with the Democratic Party, said it was the first time a state-run center had hosted an official Kurdish cultural event since Syria's liberation. He described the inclusion of the Kurdish language in school curricula and its recognition as an official language as an initial step. Feryal Khalil, the Democratic Union Party's relations official in Damascus, drew attention to the role of women in Kurdish art and folk dance, recalling Kurdish women's contribution to the fight against ISIS. She said Kurds have consistently supported the idea of "a Syria for all Syrians" and that the Syrian Democratic Forces have protected wide areas of the country. Khalil added that integration with Syrian transitional government institutions contributes to building a unified state. The event took place amid ongoing debate in Syria over the country's new state structure and cultural rights.