پرۆژێ کۆمڤەکەرێن کەلتۆری ل زانکۆیا دهۆک بدویماهی هات
April 10, 2022, 11:46 a.m.

In collaboration with the University of Mosul and the University of Sussex from the UK, University of Duhok held a one-year course for 120 students and graduates of the aforementioned universities. The main objective of the course centered on collecting and archiving the cultural and historical materials of these areas in digital formats. 

Dr. Sofia Shahab from the University of Sussex and IDS for the development of youth participated in the graduation ceremonies held in the Khalafe Zebari Hall in the UoD Students’ Centre. The ceremonies were also attended by a number of teachers and students from both universities of Duhok and Mosul as well as guests from the University of Sussex who expressed their deep joy for the accomplishment of the course and the participation of students from different regions and backgrounds. The graduate students, who attended the ceremonies wearing their traditional clothes, received their certificates from the universities of Duhok and Sussex. 

An Assyrian participant in the course indicated that they have highly benefitted from the course and have learned how to conduct research, preserve historical records and write and montage scenarios using modern scientific methods. He also explained that he has learned a lot about his own culture and the cultures of other minorities through this course. 

Similarly, an Arminian girl talked about her experience in this course and said that it was through the course that she has learned about the Arminian traditional clothing, the cuisine, and the history of her people.

A Yazidi girl, who was also a participant in the course, explained that she has learned a lot about the Yazidi culture and folklore as well as the different genocides of the Yazidi population.

A Kurdish girl told us about the danger of losing Kurdish culture due to the constant attempts of our enemies to eliminate this culture. She added that, thanks to this project, they have been able to learn how to preserve and record different historical and cultural materials.

An Arab participant from the University of Mosul indicated that he is happy to participate in the course from which he has learned about the different cultures, religions, and ethnicities that coexist in Iraq.

In a similar manner, a Chaldean participant pointed out to the fact that Christians clothing is now seldom used and that they have been able, through the course, to revive interest in this cultural aspects through the reclassification of traditional clothes.

Professor Maris, project manager from the University of Sussex, who joined the ceremonies online, explained that: “Covid 19 pandemic represented a serious obstacle to the progress of the project and we had worries about losing the elderly who were considered an important component in the success of the project. Despite challenges, we thank the universities of Duhok and Mosul for their great efforts and roles in the accomplishment of the project.” She also added that the processes of collecting and archiving historical and cultural materials are very significant for the preservation of ant nation’s and minority’s survival and the act of preserving them lie on the hands of the younger generations. Addressing the graduates, she confirmed that the knowledge you have acquired is very important and today you are not mere researchers, but the heart of your communities and we believe in your abilities to preserve you culture. 

Similarly, Professor Rewa from the University of Mosul explained that one of the major objective of the course has been the representation of the different and distinctive cultures that exist in Mosul and today I feel very impressed with the work done and the great achievements that we want to pass to our communities. He also thanked all the teachers and participants for making the course successful. 

Likewise, Dr. Shivan from the University of Duhok welcomed all the guests from the universities of Sussex and Mosul and asserted that, through the course, they have been able to collect important cultural materials that have not been recorded and published so far. He also expressed his wish that the University of Sussex would keep offering and managing such collaborative projects since they are highly significant and much needed in the Iraqi communities.