ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The Rwanga Foundation recognized the skills and talents of young people in the arts and sciences fields at their 7th annual award ceremony in Erbil on Sunday.
Rwanga is a non-governmental organization based in the Kurdistan Region. It focuses on education, youth, environment and vulnerable groups in its activities across Iraq.
“Rwanga Foundation is trying to create a platform for youth to showcase their skills,” Abdulsalam Madani, general manager of the foundation, said in his opening speech at the ceremony.
It is “important and necessary” for those active in a society, particularly decision-makers, “to give hope to the people and especially the youth,” Madani said.
The ten winners on Sunday were honoured in the categories of science, software development, photography, film, music, drawing, recycled art, writing, poetry, and entrepreneurship. Rwanga held its first awards ceremony in 2014, one year after its foundation.
“We support any initiative from any civil organization or establishment that encourages the youth and helps them, whether it’s with an idea or an opportunity so that our youth can develop the private sector themselves and be entrepreneurs,” Hemin Hawrami, deputy speaker of the Kurdistan Region Parliament, said in an interview for Rudaw’s Payam Sarbast at the ceremony.
He also voiced his support for improving the economic situation and financial independence of youth.
Last month, Rwanga organized a virtual job fair, advertising more than 5,000 job opportunities across Iraq from more than a hundred national and international companies, schools and universities.
The ten winners are:
Diyar Ibrahim – photography
Ibrahim, a high school student, is the youngest nominee in the competition. He has been doing photography for two years and was nominated for his photo titled ‘Knight of the Nation.’ “I see a message behind this photo, and the message is that no matter how woeful the nation is, there is always a knight to defend the right of every Kurdish individual.”
Azhin Kawa – short film
Kawa made her first short film at the age of 17 and has been working freelance in advertising agencies since she was 18 years old. Her film explores the theme of sacrifice for family. “I wanted to do photography as a kid, but when I realized that you can tell stories with not just one photo but a number of photos, I got into videography and wanted to make my own films so that I can create my own world.”
Zholy Shwan – solo musician
Shwan started to learn to play the violin from the age of 10 and now studies music composition. “I want to tell my friends [other nominees] that we will be the future artists of this nation.”
Salar Anwar – recycled art
Salar is an arts teacher. She created an autumn tree from more than 740 meters of electric cables. “I created that autumn tree to uplift myself, because autumn doesn’t only mean shedding leaves, but also rebirth.”
Gyana Omer – drawing
A fine arts graduate, Omer was nominated for her drawing titled “Quiff” in which she depicts the challenges women face: “As an artist, I work on controversial matters that need to be questioned. In Kurdish society, women are not equal to men, or are not perceived as normal human beings. That’s why it’s something to be questioned and discussed.”
Soma Abdulqadr – poetry
Abdulqadr is studying English. She started writing at the young age of five. She has a published a first book and her second will be published soon.
Lawin Muhammed – short story
Muhammed has been writing prose for four years and started writing short stories two years ago. With the Rwanga award, she hopes her book will be translated into English.
Ayman Sabri – software development
A graduate of administration and economics, Sabri has been doing programming and software development for five years. His numerous projects include a free application for learning English language.
Soma Nihad – scientific innovation
An engineering graduate, Nihad won for her project of a smart house with censors to control humidity, lighting, and temperature for a healthier living environment.
Gulstan Nawkhosh – entrepreneurship
A graduate from administration and economics, Nawkhosh, who has a sculpture studio, established her business in 2019. “Persistence will bring you success. That’s why I kept persisting and re-entered the competition in 2020 and won,” she said, after entering the competition with the same project in 2019.
Rudaw is a sponsor of the event.
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