This year marks the 241st anniversary of the founding of Slemani, a city celebrated for its rich history, vibrant culture, intellectual heritage, and breathtaking landscapes. Citizens of Slemani gathered in Sara Square to celebrate the 241st anniversary of its founding. The city was officially established on November 14, 1784 by Ibrahim Pasha Baban, who moved the capital of the Baban Emirate from Qalachwalan to this new strategic and fertile location. Slemani was named in honor of Ibrahim Pasha’s father, Sulaiman Pasha, reflecting the deep familial and dynastic pride of the Baban rulers.

From its earliest days, Slemani quickly grew into a center of learning, poetry, and political thought, becoming home to many of Kurdistan’s most influential writers, intellectuals, and cultural figures. Over the centuries, the city has played a vital role in shaping modern Kurdish identity—serving as a hub for literature, education, journalism, and progressive social movements.

Today, Slemani is widely known as the cultural capital of Kurdistan and and a UNESCO Creative City of Literature. Slemani continues to blend tradition with modernity, carrying forward the legacy envisioned by the Baban dynasty more than two centuries ago.