Young Artists Stage 27th Annual Festival at Duhok Fine Arts Institute

DUHOK, Iraq — The Duhok Fine Arts Institute concluded its 27th annual festival in the northern Iraqi city, a four-day event showcasing student work across music, painting, sculpture, and theater. Held under the slogan "Faces of Creativity, Innovation, and Freedom," the festival featured Kurdish folk melodies performed with modern composition techniques and outdoor exhibitions of paintings and sculptures exploring global themes. Three separate theater productions were staged during the festival. The first was an adaptation of Polish playwright Slawomir Mrozek's work, directed by young director Derîn Adil, which examined power relations through sharp critique. A second production drew inspiration from William Saroyan's literature; after an actor withdrew at the last moment, director Leyla Selman took over the role herself, addressing themes of identity and alienation. The third play, "A Melody at Sea," was also adapted from Mrozek's absurdist theater, depicting three people stranded at sea and their survival instincts, directed by Larîn Beşir. Most festival participants were under 20 years old, with some as young as 16. Institute management and department heads supported students throughout the year with rehearsals, directing, and technical preparations. The festival offered young artists a platform to blend traditional Kurdish artistic heritage with contemporary forms of expression.