Erbil Citadel hosts folklore games from 26 to 28 November
Published on 11/07/2026 at 15:15 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSGames and heritage in November
- The Goethe-Institut lists the Kurdish Folklore Games Festival at Erbil Citadel from 26 to 28 November 2026.
- Traditional Kurdish games will connect different generations during the November 2026 programme.
- UNESCO describes Erbil Citadel as a World Heritage Site with 6,000 years of history.
Erbil Citadel will host the Kurdish Folklore Games Festival from 26 to 28 November 2026 in Erbil, Iraq. The programme is presented as a meeting point for different generations and focuses on traditional Kurdish games. The historic site is also known as Qalat Hawler.
Kurdish Folklore Games Festival runs from 26 to 28 November
The festival is listed in the Goethe-Institut Irak newsletter for November 2026. Its programme centres on traditional Kurdish games, with shared play and memories used to pass customs between generations. The listing names Erbil Citadel as the venue and gives the period as 26 to 28 November 2026.
The event is part of a wider set of November cultural projects supported through the NET Excellence Project. The newsletter describes the festival as an opportunity to keep cultural heritage alive and to encourage interaction between young and old. It does not publish a daily timetable or separate programme items for each festival day. The November festival listing therefore establishes the dates, venue and subject without adding unconfirmed timings.
Erbil Citadel connects games with living heritage
UNESCO describes Erbil Citadel as a World Heritage Site and a cultural, historical and economic landmark. Its project page links conservation with public engagement, cultural events, exhibitions and storytelling initiatives. That makes the November festival especially relevant to the site: its subject is not separate from the citadel's heritage role, but is built around transmitting traditions through participation.
UNESCO also describes the mound as carrying 6,000 years of history. The current revitalisation project includes the conservation of at-risk heritage buildings, the rehabilitation of historic structures and plans for visitor-oriented projects along the citadel's alleys. Its stated partners are UNESCO and the High Commission for Erbil Citadel Revitalization. The UNESCO project description places the festival within an ongoing effort to connect conservation with cultural use.
Visiting Erbil Citadel: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- The Kurdish Folklore Games Festival takes place at Erbil Citadel from 26 to 28 November 2026.
- The published programme identifies traditional Kurdish games and intergenerational exchange, but gives no daily timetable or access arrangements.
- Erbil Citadel is in Erbil, Iraq, and UNESCO identifies it as a World Heritage Site with 6,000 years of history.
- The site is associated with conservation, rehabilitation and visitor-oriented projects under a UNESCO and High Commission for Erbil Citadel Revitalization partnership.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
Searching for Erbil Citadel on social platforms
These links open searches for Erbil Citadel on each platform.
Frequently asked questions about Erbil Citadel
When does the Kurdish Folklore Games Festival take place at Erbil Citadel?
The festival is scheduled for 26 to 28 November 2026. Its published focus is traditional Kurdish games and intergenerational exchange.
What is Erbil Citadel?
UNESCO describes it as a World Heritage Site and a cultural, historical and economic landmark with 6,000 years of history.
Where is Erbil Citadel and how do you get there?
Erbil Citadel is in Erbil, Iraq. The festival listing names the citadel as its venue but does not publish transport directions or a dedicated access plan.
