The Kaka'i - also known as Yarsan or Ahl-e Haqq - ' The People of Truth' - 11 November 2011, 6pm

Runaki 3 - A celebration of Kurdish life and culture (25-27 March 2011)

Video courtesy of Derek Roberts

http://www.drcreativeproductions.co.uk/

To find out more about Runaki 3 and other events

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GULAN is a charity formed in 2008 to promote Kurdish art and culture.

Gulan wishes to help preserve and sustain the sense of Kurdish identity through its heritage and traditional skills for the Kurdish people and for people of all cultures and identities.As well as supporting Kurdish cultural events GULAN plans to research and document the traditional textiles, dress, jewellery and skills of the Kurdish people before they are lost; to collect tangible heritage; and also intangible heritage in the form of memories. Gulan's long term aim is to help establish a heritage museum in the Kurdish region of Iraq. It is considering creating a virtual museum of Kurdish costume as a step towards this.

Initially Gulan is concentrating on events in England to promote interest in and understanding of Kudish culture. Our first major event was the Runaki festival held at St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace in Bishopsgate, London, in March 2009.

Speaking about this festival Ms Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman, High Representative to the UK, Kurdistan Regional Government, said:

"The Runaki 2009 Festival showed our British friends the beauty and richness of Kurdistan's heritage, by enabling them to discover our artists, fashions, history, music and cuisine. I congratulate the organisers of this very successful, small but beautiful festival and look forward to seeing many more." 

Tawûsê Melek, the peacock angel

Our second event, on 24 November 2009, was an evening of talks, music and film exploring the little-known Yezidi religion.

Speaking about the event Simon Keyes, Director of the St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace, said:

“St Ethelburga’s was delighted to work with GULAN to create the fascinating and successful event exploring Yezidi culture. This was a first for us, and I think for many of the large number of people who participated, both at the event itself and via media coverage. We look forward to collaborating with GULAN to explore other aspects of Kurdish life and culture in the future.”

Coverage of this event by BBC Persian TV can be found here

To find out about these and other Gulan events please visit our Events page.

Gulan's 2009 Annual Report and Accounts are available here

GULAN Company number: 6651236: Registered Charity Number:1126372

Registered office & correspondence address: 19 Chelsea Park Gardens London SW3 6AF