Kurdish women musicians launch 'Kurdistan Girls Music Ensemble' in Sulaymaniyah

SULAYMANIYAH, Iraq — A group of Kurdish women musicians has established a new ensemble called the "Kurdistan Girls Music Ensemble" in Sulaymaniyah, the group announced at a launch event on Sunday. The founding was unveiled at the Karim Alka Foundation in Sulaymaniyah, with writers, artists and cultural figures attending the introduction. Foundation director Shaqwan Sadiq said at a press conference that the ensemble aims to carry Kurdish music and singing in Sulaymaniyah and the Kurdistan Region to a new artistic stage. He said the group is composed of talented women musicians and is focused on preserving the heritage of Kurdish music in all its variety across Kurdistan. Hukar Muhammad, the ensemble's adviser, said the project stems from a belief in the role of Kurdish women in safeguarding and developing artistic and cultural heritage. She described music as a universal language that carries messages of peace, unity and rapprochement among peoples. The ensemble is open to talented women musicians from different cities and regions of Kurdistan, regardless of background.