May 15: Kurdish Language Day and the Anniversary of the Publication of “Hawar” Magazine

Welat TV – Erbil

Kurds around the world celebrate Kurdish Language Day on May 15 each year, marking the anniversary of the publication of the first issue of Hawar in 1932, which is regarded as one of the most significant cultural milestones in the history of the modern Kurdish language and literature.

“Hawar”—The Beginning of a New Cultural Era

The first issue of Hawar was published in Damascus on May 15, 1932, under the supervision of its founder Jaladat Badirakhan.

At the time, the magazine became an important literary and cultural platform that contributed significantly to the modernization and development of Kurdish writing and literature.

The first 23 issues of the magazine were published using both Latin and Kurdish Aramaic scripts before it later adopted the Latin alphabet exclusively. “Hawar” continued publication until 1943, releasing a total of 53 issues before permanently ceasing publication.

Kurdish Language Among the World’s Languages

The Kurdish language belongs to the Indo-European language family and is recognized as one of the languages included in the English-language dictionary platform Wiktionary.

According to the platform’s data, the Kurdish language contains more than 918,000 words and entries from the Kurmanji dialect alone, placing it among the richest languages in the world in terms of vocabulary size.

Estimates suggest that incorporating vocabulary from other Kurdish dialects, such as Zazaki and Lori, could further elevate its global linguistic ranking.

Continued Calls to Protect the Kurdish Language

Each year, cultural and academic circles within Kurdish society renew calls for the protection of the Kurdish language and the expansion of its use in daily life, alongside efforts to further develop and standardize it as a unified language while encouraging education and writing in Kurdish.

Activists and intellectuals stress that preserving the Kurdish language represents an essential part of safeguarding the cultural identity and heritage of the Kurdish people.

Developments Regarding Kurdish Rights in the New Syria

The issue of Kurdish cultural and linguistic rights in Syria witnessed major developments this year after Syria’s transitional president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, issued Decree No. 13 on January 16, 2026. The decree affirmed that Kurds constitute an integral part of the Syrian people and that their cultural and linguistic identity forms part of Syria’s national identity.

It also emphasized the state’s commitment to protecting cultural and linguistic diversity and guaranteeing Kurdish citizens the right to preserve their heritage and develop their mother tongue. The decree further designated Kurdish as a “national language” and authorized its teaching in both public and private schools in Kurdish-majority regions, whether through optional curricula or educational and cultural activities.

The decree additionally tasked relevant authorities with issuing executive instructions necessary for implementing its provisions, with the law entering into force from the date of issuance.

Al-Sharaa stated that “recognizing Kurdish rights in Syria through Decree No. 13 was not a political step, but rather stemmed from the belief that it is both a right and a duty toward a people who have lived together for hundreds of years.”

Kurdish Welcome for the Presidential Decree

For its part, the Kurdish National Council welcomed the presidential decree, describing it as a positive step toward recognizing the cultural, linguistic, and national rights of the Kurdish people in Syria, while also calling for practical measures to ensure the implementation of those rights on the ground.