Slemani, founded in 1784 by the Kurdish prince Ibrahim Pasha Baban, who named it after his father, Sleman Pasha, has always been the center of great historians, politicians, journalists, scholars, artists, singers, poets and writers such as Nali, Mahwi, Bekas and Piramerd. The city is the largest in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, with a population of 2,486,486 citizens and a total territory of 21,071 km2. Alongside
arts and culture, its primary industries are agriculture, education, healthcare,
and tourism, with developing fields of manufacturing and renewable energy.
Kashkul, with Slemani Governor, its Directorate of Culture, and major literary stakeholders in the city applied to designate Slemani as UNESCO’s Creative City of Literature. On October 31, 2019, UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network welcomed Slemani into a global network of 246 cities. The network covers seven creative fields: Crafts and Folk Arts, Media Arts, Film, Design, Gastronomy, Literature and Music. The Creative Cities are working together towards a common objective: placing creativity and cultural industries at the heart of their development plans at the local level and cooperating actively at the international level.
Dr. Haval Abubaker, the Governor of Slemani, received the prominent and productive Kurdish artist, Mr. Mahir Hassan, head of the Rangala Theater Group. During the
Today, Dr. Haval Abubaker, the Governor of Slemani, received Mr. Hussein Hama Gharib and Mr. Nawshirwan Aziz Muhammad—archaeologists and specialists from the Slemani Directorate of
Today, Dr. Haval Abubaker, the Governor of Slemani, received the distinguished and prominent Kurdish artists, Mr. Ali Karim and Mr. Abdulaziz Majid. The artists visited
Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature has officially opened submissions for the second issue of the New Nottingham Journal (NNJ). Following the massive success of its sold-out
Wonju City of Literature (South Korea) is pleased to announce its 2026 International Residency Program. This opportunity offers one writer from the UNESCO Cities of
Slemani UNESCO City of Literature is participating in the “Talking Cities” project! Slemani UNESCO City of Literature is proud to take part in the Talking Cities project,
