Kurdish Studies and the Future of the Nation

Yıl 2025, Cilt: 11 Sayı: 22, 67 - 69, 28.12.2025

Halil İbrahim Şakar

https://izlik.org/JA47AG58LA

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

https://izlik.org/JA47AG58LA

Öz

Kaynakça

• Abdulselyamoglu, Y. (2025, October 27–28). “Fragmented Being and the Quest for Common Meaning: Kurdish Plurality Explored” [Conference Presentation]. International Scientific Conference on Kurdish Studies, Sofia University, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Vali, A. (2025, October 27–28). “The Kurds and Their Others: Fragmented Identity and Fragmented Politics” [Conference Presentation]. International Scientific Conference on Kurdish Studies, Sofia University, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Leezenberg, M. (2025, October 27–28). “Mem û Zîn as Subaltern World Literature” [Conference Presentation]. International Scientific Conference on Kurdish Studies, Sofia University, Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Ghaderi, F. (2025, October 27–28). “Gendering History: Unearthing Erased Kurdish Women’s Voices in the Archives” [Conference Presentation]. International Scientific Conference on Kurdish Studies, Sofia University, Sofia, Bulgaria.