Newsletter November 2025

In November, Erbil will become the meeting place for young creative minds!

As part of the Game Changers project, girls and young women from the MENA region will have the opportunity to make their mark in the world of game development. Creativity meets technology, visions become digital experiences.

Around 15 students aged 14-18 from the PASCH network will take part in an intensive four-day workshop, where they will learn the basics of game design and develop their own ideas. Afterwards, they head straight to the international Game Jam: in mixed teams from Iraq, Egypt, Jordan and Morocco, they create a game prototype in just three days. They are supported by experienced mentors from their respective countries.

On November 8, 22 and 26, the Goethe-Institut Irak and the al-Mada Reading Club invite you to the regular meetings of the reading club in Erbil.

The events are a cooperation between the Goethe-Institut Irak and the al-Mada Reading Club and start at 7 PM at Nazdar Hayran Café in Erbil. The events will be held in Arabic.

Details of the readings will be published on our social media channels.

The Goethe-Institut Irak offers free preparation courses for levels A1, B1 and B2 to help you prepare for the upcoming language exams. Participation is possible both in presence at the institute in Erbil and in an online setting. Several dates are available. Once you have registered, you will be contacted by telephone to confirm your participation.

Early registration is recommended as the number of places is limited.
The registration link and exact dates will be announced on our social media channels.

On November 29, the Goethe-Institut Irak is hosting the annual PASCH conference in Erbil. Teachers, school directors and representatives of the Ministry of Education will come together to reflect on the past year, exchange experiences and develop new perspectives for teaching German. The focus will not only be on looking back and reflecting on successes, but also on practical workshops that provide fresh ideas for teaching. The conference strengthens the network and sets important priorities for educational work in Iraq.

The European Film Festival will take place in Baghdad from 27 November to 1 December. The Goethe-Institut Irak is participating with two German contributions: Sieger sein! and Zwei zu Eins! tell the stories of solidarity, identity and social challenges in an impactful way. The festival invites cultural exchange and offers exciting insights into European filmmaking.

The exact times and venues will be announced in advance on the Goethe-Institut Irak's social media channels.

On Monday, 20 October 2025, on the foundation of the German-Iraqi cultural treaty, an agreement was signed between the Federal Republic of Germany and Iraq at the Madrasa al-Mustansiriya in Baghdad, defining and regulating the principles of the Goethe-Institut's work in Iraq. This agreement enables the Goethe-Institut to expand its programmes and activities in the host country and to place them on a solid administrative footing.

It was signed by the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Iraq, Dr. Ahmad Al-Badrani, and the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Iraq, Dr. Daniel Krebber.