Kurdish Studies and the Future of the Nation
Öz
This article provides an overview of the International Scientific Conference on Kurdish Studies held at Sofia University in Bulgaria from October 27 to 28, 2025, highlighting its significance for the institutionalization and academic advancement of Kurdish studies. Bringing together scholars from 15 countries, the conference offered a broad platform for discussions on Kurdish language, culture, society, politics, literature, mythology, historiography, and contemporary theoretical approaches. The recognition of Kurdish as an official conference language at a major European university added strong symbolic value to the event. Drawing on the presentations of prominent scholars such as Yashar Abdulselyamoglu and Abbas Vali, the article examines methodological and epistemological challenges within Kurdish studies, addressing issues such as epistemological ruptures, the nation-state, identity, freedom, and intersectionality. It further reviews research presented on topics ranging from dengbêj performance and modern literature to archival studies and linguistics. The article also identifies structural problems in the field, including the lack of institutional frameworks, fragmented archives, and insufficient theoretical grounding. Overall, the conference is evaluated as an important step toward expanding Kurdish studies, establishing dedicated academic chairs, and developing an independent Kurdish epistemology.
Anahtar Kelimeler
Kurdish Studies, International Scientific Conference on Kurdish Studies, Sofia University, conference review, Kurdish epistemology, nation-state, identity, intersectionality, language policy, Kurdish literature, dengbêj tradition, archival research, academic institutionalization.
Kurdish Studies and the Future of the Nation
Öz
This article provides an overview of the International Scientific Conference on Kurdish Studies held at Sofia University in Bulgaria from October 27 to 28, 2025, highlighting its significance for the institutionalization and academic advancement of Kurdish studies. Bringing together scholars from 15 countries, the conference offered a broad platform for discussions on Kurdish language, culture, society, politics, literature, mythology, historiography, and contemporary theoretical approaches. The recognition of Kurdish as an official conference language at a major European university added strong symbolic value to the event. Drawing on the presentations of prominent scholars such as Yashar Abdulselyamoglu and Abbas Vali, the article examines methodological and epistemological challenges within Kurdish studies, addressing issues such as epistemological ruptures, the nation-state, identity, freedom, and intersectionality. It further reviews research presented on topics ranging from dengbêj performance and modern literature to archival studies and linguistics. The article also identifies structural problems in the field, including the lack of institutional frameworks, fragmented archives, and insufficient theoretical grounding. Overall, the conference is evaluated as an important step toward expanding Kurdish studies, establishing dedicated academic chairs, and developing an independent Kurdish epistemology.
Anahtar Kelimeler
Kurdish Studies, International Scientific Conference on Kurdish Studies, Sofia University, conference review, Kurdish epistemology, nation-state, identity, intersectionality, language policy, Kurdish literature, dengbêj tradition, archival research, academic institutionalization.
