Music Residency Sulaymaniyah 2022:
In 2022, a group of 15 young musicians from different cities of Iraq and Syria came together in Sulaymaniyah for a residency. The ten days were accompanied by mentors from the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, Germany and France. Together, the musicians developed a concert programme. The programme included songs in Kurdish, English and Arabic, original compositions and new interpretations of classical lyrics. The setting provided a platform for collaboration, skill development and cultural exchange between the participants.
From the Music Residency in Sulaimani, the Yasna Band was formed, which gave concerts in different cities in Iraq in 2023.
Literature Residency Baghdad 2022:
In November 2022, the first literature residency took place in Baghdad. 14 Iraqi writers worked together with the German writer and filmmaker Michael Ross and the Italian novellist Giuseppe Catozella. The theme of "being a stranger" was explored literarily. The resulting texts were compiled in a collection.
Insights into the literature residency
Film Residency Erbil 2023:
As part of the Creative Residency Circles Project, a film residency took place in Erbil for the first time in 2023. 16 young filmmakers from all over Iraq came together with mentors Mano Khalil, Omar Al Kadi, Peter Ott and Eva Knopf. The content was about the development of the basic idea to the finished film - and beyond! In addition to input sessions from the mentors, the participants presented projects they had realised. They also produced short films together in small groups. The days were characterised by teamwork, lively discussions and the development and realisation of film ideas.
