A collaboration between ArtRole and the British Council.
Now in its third year, the former Erbil International Literature Festival has been renamed NINITI – which is a Sumerian epithet for a goddess meaning ‘lady of life’ – to reflect this year’s focus on women writers. Held at the atmospheric Chwar Chra Hotel, a short walk from Erbil’s 6000 year old Citadel, an exciting line up of international and local writers came together to give readings and discuss politics and literature. Writers participating included Kapka Kassabova, Julia Copus, Ghareeb Iskander, Choman Hardi and Rachel Holmes in an exciting programme of events celebrating women’s writing in the region and beyond. Writing Workshops were also held during the main festival in partnership with Salahaddin University in Kurdish, Arabic, and English for students interested in storytelling or poetry.