Sulaymaniyah Marks 241 Years Since Its Founding with Citywide Cultural Celebrations

Kurdistan 11:37 AM - 2025-11-14

The old Sulaymaniyah city.

Today, 14 November 2025, marks the 241st anniversary of the founding of Sulaymaniyah, a city renowned for its deep cultural roots, rich history, and enduring role as the cultural capital of the Kurdistan Region. To mark the occasion, a series of artistic, cultural, and literary events are being hosted across the city, with traditional Kurdish attire for both men and women adding colour and character to the celebrations.

A Historical Glimpse into the Founding of Sulaymaniyah

Sulaymaniyah was founded on 14 November 1784 by Prince Ibrahim Pasha Baban, leader of the Baban Emirate, who named the city after his father, Sulaiman Pasha. From its inception, the city played a central role in regional politics, serving as the capital of the Baban Emirate as well as a significant commercial and cultural hub.

Between 1922 and 1924, Sulaymaniyah briefly became the capital of King Mahmud’s Kingdom, reinforcing its historical importance as a centre for political movements, intellectual life, and revolutionary activities in Kurdistan.

A Growing City with a Cultural Soul

Today, Sulaymaniyah is recognised as the Capital of Culture in the Kurdistan Region—a title reinforced by its UNESCO City of Literature designation. The city continues to expand across all fields. According to the Iraqi Ministry of Planning’s 2018 statistics, Sulaymaniyah’s population stands at 2,212,000, representing 6% of Iraq’s population, and continues to grow steadily.

Historic Neighbourhoods and Landmarks

Sulaymaniyah is home to several historic neighbourhoods, including Kani Askan, Goyzha, Malkandi, Sarshaqam, Chwarbakh, and Dargazen (the Jewish quarter).

Among its most significant historical sites is the Sara Palace, originally designated by the Baban rulers as their administrative headquarters. Rebuilt during the reign of King Mahmud, the palace consists of two floors and 43 rooms. Over the years, it served as the premises for police and mayoral offices. Recently restored by the Sulaymaniyah Governorate and the Directorate of Antiquities, the Sara Palace remains one of the city's defining heritage landmarks.

Tourism: The Jewel of Kurdistan’s Landscape

Sulaymaniyah boasts numerous natural and recreational attractions. Sarchinar and the Dukan Resort remain the city’s most prominent destinations, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually from inside and outside the country.

The Sulaymaniyah Public Park, located west of the city, is another historic landmark. Established between 1937 and 1939 by then-governor Majid Yaqub, it was the first public garden built in the city.

A Centre for Literature, Arts, and Intellectual Life

The city’s reputation as a cultural capital is closely tied to its literary heritage. The Baban School of Classical Kurdish Poetry, shaped by masters Nali, Salim, and Kurdi, still influences Kurdish literature today.

Sulaymaniyah has produced many of Kurdistan’s greatest poets and writers, including Mawlana Khalid, Goran, Tahir Beg Jaf, Wali Dewana, Zewar, Ahmed Mukhtar Jaf, Mullah Azizi Mufti, Piramerd, Bekhud, Jamal Erfan, Bekas, Sherko Bekas, and numerous others.

The Leading City in Media, Arts, and Education

Sulaymaniyah has long been at the forefront of journalism and publishing. Since the era of King Mahmud, it has hosted numerous newspapers. Today, dozens of publishing houses, media outlets, television channels, theatre groups, musicians, painters, and artistic institutions operate in the city, contributing to a vibrant cultural scene.

In education, Sulaymaniyah has also been a pioneer. The University of Sulaimani, the first university in the Kurdistan Region, was established in 1968. Although the Ba’ath regime relocated it to Erbil in 1981 and renamed it Salahaddin University, it was re-established in Sulaymaniyah after the Kurdish uprising and reopened on 14 October 1992. The city is now home to several universities and academic institutions.

A City That Continues to Lead

After 241 years, Sulaymaniyah continues to develop across all sectors. Today, it stands as an essential political, cultural, and decision-making centre in both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.



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