ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdish city of Sanliurfa (Riha) in southeastern Turkey is hosting an international UNESCO music gathering, bringing together artists from 30 countries across four continents for three days of musical events.
The annual UNESCO Music Cities Meeting is taking place from October 12 to 14, following the city's designation as a UNESCO City of Music in 2023. Residents hope the recognition will raise Riha's international profile, attract foreign tourists and create economic opportunities.
“No, honestly, we weren't aware. I'm just hearing about it now. May God make it auspicious,” Ibrahim Khalil, a Riha resident, told Rudaw's Mashalla Dakak on Monday when asked whether he knew about the UNESCO designation.
Asked whether the hosting would benefit the city, Khalil said it would bring people from outside and boost business.
“Yes, it will. People will come from outside and do business. There will be many benefits,” he said.
Other residents welcomed the move, expressing hope that it would introduce Riha's musical heritage to a wider international audience.
“We are very happy because of this. It's very great, well done,” resident Mustafa Choban said.
Abdulkadir Kilic said the designation would help introduce the city to the world.
“Its benefit is like this: it will make the city known to the world,” he said.
For others, the event offers an opportunity to promote Kurdish music beyond the region.
“I would love for Kurmanji music to spread across the world. Let the world hear it. Let them know that beautiful music comes from Riha. Let them know that Kurmanji music sounds great,” resident Evdila Lachin told Rudaw.
Resident Izzet Dogan echoed that sentiment, saying, “Let the Kurdish music of Riha echo throughout the whole world. We would love that.”
Efe Hassan Cetin, a tour guide in Riha, said the city's musical standing would complement its established reputation for history, architecture and cuisine.
“We used to refer to it as the capital of civilization, the ground zero of history,” Cetin said. “And on top of that, we already talk about Urfa’s cuisine, its people, its historic inns, and its bazaars.”
Renowned for its ancient history, cultural heritage and longstanding musical traditions, Riha is seeking to build on those assets through greater international cultural recognition.
