The 32nd edition of the Mihrican Folklore Competition in Hannover was a great success among Kurds and their friends.

Some 26 folklore groups from France and Switzerland joined in the cultural event on 8 and 9 June.

The festival began with a rally representing the traditional Kurdish wedding when the bride is walked around on a horse. 

During the rally, the city of Hannover got the colours of Kurdistan, yellow, green and red. 

Folklore groups took to the stage performing both for the people and the jury. Koma Cangori and Koma Mam Zeki children group, as well as Seyma Serhat and Dilana Roj Arya music group were among the groups performing on the first day.

The richness of Kurdish culture and traditions

Bülent Turan and Xezal Aktaş spoke on behalf of TEV-ÇAND. Turan said that Kurdish culture and folklore is very rich and that this richness should be preserved and transferred to the next generations. 

Speaking on behalf of the jury, Yasin Boyraz said that the Mihrican festival rather than a competition was a way to live and see the culture variety of Kurdish tradition and to help passing this richness through generations. 

Awards

The various groups performed in front of the jury for 10 hours. Dilana Roj Arya male group from Paris won the Amed region prize while Dilana Roj Arya women group won the second prize. Group Siyar, who joined from the city of Salzgiter came in third.

Mihrican Costume Award was shared by Dilana Roj Arya men and women group and Govenda Baran, while the Research Award was given to Govenda Baran folklore group from Cologne for its folkloric compilation from Hakkari region.

The special jury awards were given to Govenda Rengin from the city of Darmstadt and Koma Deran from the city of Linburg.

Sabriye Savgat and Medine Çoban from the martyrs’ relatives gave the first prize, while the second was presented by Artist Bülent Turan. Civa Cewlik gave the award to Koma Siyar group which came third.

Prize to the press

Culture and press workers were not forgotten by the Mihrican festival which awarded ANF, Yeni Özgür Politik, Çıra TV, Sterk TV and Jin TV.

The festival ended with a concert by Serhado.