ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A new Kurdish institute officially opened its doors on Sunday in Switzerland’s southwestern city of Lausanne, on the shores of the Geneva lake.
“The Kurdish Institute of Lausanne is ready,” the organization announced on X.
An invitation to the inauguration and reception seen by Rudaw read, “We are pleased to share with you that the Kurdish Institute of Lausanne is opening its doors,” adding, “Your participation and support are very meaningful to us. With hope for building a bright future through cooperation.”
The opening event, held at the institute’s headquarters on Sunday afternoon, brought together a diverse group of writers, academics, political figures, and representatives from various diaspora organizations.
Highlights of the reception included a video presentation by renowned Kurdish musician, and a speech by Gilberte Favre, the spouse of the late Nuredin Zaza, a prominent Kurdish intellectual.
Lausanne is a scenic city on the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland and is not the only European city that is host to a Kurdish institute. Less than four hours away by train is the Kurdish Institute in Paris.
Established in February 1983, the Kurdish Institute in Paris is a non-political, secular organization devoted to the preservation and promotion of Kurdish language, culture, and heritage. It remains a vital hub for Kurdish intellectuals, artists, scholars, and members of the general public interested in Kurdish studies.
The Kurdish Institute of Lausanne is expected to serve a similar mission.
