Duhok village holds rare festival after decades of PKK-Turkey war

KASHAN, Kurdistan Region - Villagers in northern Duhok province on Friday held a symbolic festival to celebrate rare peace and stability after decades of conflict between Ankara and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

Kashan was on the frontlines of the PKK-Turkey conflict for three decades and access to the village was often restricted, but a peace process launched a year ago has provided welcome relief. 

Villagers celebrated the calm on Friday with a festival.

Anwar Mohammed is a beekeeper. 

“Our honey is from Kashan. We consider it number one. This year honey production generally was low but ours was thankfully good. We are certain of the quality of the honey and tell our customers that they can return it if they do not like it,” he told Rudaw. 

Ronahi Amin was one of the vendors selling local produce. 

“This is stock. I prepare it at home. We have flavours of vegetables like onion and pepper and chicken,” she said.