Goran in Two English Translations
Goran in Two English Translations by Dastan Galali Abdulla Goran (1904-62) is considered the first Kurdish modernist poet. Known for his revolutionary poetic techniques, he was fluent in English and translated poetry from English into Kurdish Sorani. Goran was also significantly influenced by the English Romantic poets William Wordsworth, John Keats, Lord Byron, and Percy […]
Mano Khalil’s North American Tour, February 2-19
Mano Khalil’s North American Tour, February 2-19 We are thrilled to announce that the Kurdish-Swiss filmmaker Mano Khalil will be touring North America with screenings of his acclaimed 2021 film Neighbors. The film is based on Khalil’s personal story of growing up Kurdish under the Assad dictatorship. As a Kurdish man native to Syria, he […]
“Belkî Sibê,” online screening, January 30
“Belkî Sibê” by Alexis Daluomis The film Belkî Sibê will be screened live via Zoom at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 30, on Drop Site. Belkî Sibê is a documentary made by a volunteer soldier who spent eighteen months in war and revolution in Rojava or North-East Syria. Alexis Daloumis participated in the International […]
“The City of My Heart” (poem) by Kamel Emami
“The City of My Heart” by Kamel Emami The City of My Heart I say the city of my heart is full of meadows; I will go Mind says no, it’s a city full of drunken hooligans; don’t go. I say it’s the center of heaven; I will go Mind says it’s the […]
“Border” (poem) by Hemin Mukriyani
“Border,” a poem by Hemin Mukriyani Border Taken away from me, the one whom I worshipped, The one who is no God but my love In no heaven she resides Nor in Mount Qaf* she dwells. Who has taken her from me and kept me away from her! This would be nothing but the border […]
Kurdish Cinema Talk podcast, episode 1: Mano Khalil
Episode 1: Mano Khalil Mêvanê xelaka yekem ya podcasta Kurdish Sînema Talksê derhêner Mano Xelîl e. Semîha û Bilal dipirsin Mano dibersivêne. Ji diho heta îroj tekilîya derhêner û sînemayê mijara civatê ye. Hinekî jî li ser fîlmê wî yê têr xelat “Cîran” dipeyîvin. 15 Çile 2025https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHOmBV4js_E
“Neighbors” by Mano Khalil, February 2
“Neighbors” by Mano Khalil The Kurdish-Swiss filmmaker Mano Khalil will be present for our New York screening of his acclaimed 2021 film Neighbors. The film is based on Khalil’s personal story of growing up Kurdish under the Assad dictatorship. As a Kurdish man native to Syria, he is undertaking the tour to raise awareness of […]
Our Statement on Rojava and Syria After Assad
Our Statement on Rojava and Syria After Assad For over a decade, rebels opposing the Assad regime have fought to challenge its authoritarian rule. On December 8, the foreign-backed insurgency led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) reached Damascus, resulting in the regime’s collapse and ending a half-century of control in Syria. This moment marks a […]
Aziz Gardi: Jewel of Kurdish Literary Translation
Aziz Gardi: Jewel of Kurdish Literary Translation by Dastan Galali Whenever someone discusses the art of translation into the Kurdish language, Aziz Gardi (1947 – 2022) comes to mind. As the most prominent Kurdish translator, his name is familiar to any Kurdish reader who reads in the Sorani dialect. Gardi’s translated works—he translated approximately 200 […]
“The Kurdish Bike” by Alesa Lightbourne
“The Kurdish Bike” by Alesa Lightbourne Alesa Lightbourne, The Kurdish Bike: A Novel. Published by the author, 2016. On January 2 our Book Club discussed The Kurdish Bike. The author, Alesa Lightbourne, participated in the discussion. Alesa Lightbourne is currently retired from a career as an English professor and teacher in six countries. The Kurdish […]
