The Kurdish people, whose identity, language, and culture have long been denied, continue their cultural resistance despite centuries of assimilation policies. In Rojava (Western Kurdistan), where these policies were felt most intensely, Kurdish books were banned and burned for years, as the state sought to sever the people’s connection with their own history.
The Rojava Revolution brought a turning point. Built upon the principles of women’s liberation and a democratic society, the revolution also paved the way for the cultural rebirth of the Kurdish people.
A key milestone in this revival was the establishment of the Şilêr Library. On September 4, 2025, the Union of Writers of North and East Syria inaugurated the Şilêr Café and Library within the Literature Center of North and East Syria, located in the Siyahi neighborhood of Qamishlo in the Jazira (Cizîrê) Canton.
A cultural center with 7,500 books
The Şilêr Library hosts 7,500 books in various languages, including the works of Abdullah Öcalan. Among them, 765 are in Kurdish, 70 in foreign languages, and 7,095 in Arabic. The books reach readers across many categories, including children’s literature, novels, short stories, history, folklore, poetry, women’s studies, art, politics, philosophy, psychology, law, sociology, science, and medicine.
In addition, the Şilêr Publishing House has released 870 books in Kurdish, Arabic, and Turkish, further contributing to the region’s multilingual literary landscape.
To promote a culture of reading
Fidan Muhammed, a member of the Şilêr Library and Café’s administrative board, spoke to ANF about the establishment process of the library and described its purpose as follows: “The Şilêr Library hosts books in all languages. Our aim is to cultivate a culture of reading within society, especially among young people, and to make reading a natural part of everyday life. The library is a space where people can concentrate in silence and connect with knowledge.”
Affiliated with the library, the Şilêr Café also serves as a venue where readers can engage in discussions about books and participate in intellectual activities. In this way, the library has become not only a reading space but also a center for cultural exchange and the sharing of ideas.
A special corner for children
Fidan Muhammed noted that the library also includes a dedicated section for children, said: “In our children’s corner, there are only children’s books and stories. Teachers often come to borrow books for their students.”
Strong public interest from all segments of society
Although newly opened, the Şilêr Library and Café has been met with great enthusiasm by the people of Qamishlo. From students to writers, and from teachers to intellectuals, people from all segments of society visit the library. Fidan Muhammed described this interest as follows: “Even during the preparation phase, students were visiting the library with curiosity. Today, the Şilêr Library has become a meeting point where different cultures come together and people get to know one another’s cultures.”