Arazu Hassan Barawi, Founder of ecotourism agency Kurdistan Outdoor, participated in the Global Cultural Assembly held in Berlin, Germany from June 16-21, 2025, as a cultural activist and artist from Kurdistan.
“I was invited to represent the Kurdish people for the first time ever at the Humboldt Forum, a prestigious international platform dedicated to the preservation and presentation of indigenous cultures from around the world,” Barawi told Kurdistan Chronicle on Friday.
The Humboldt Forum – particularly through its Ethnological Museum and Asian Art collections – is part of a global effort to document, protect, and elevate the voices, traditions, crafts, and lands of indigenous communities. This initiative brings together delegates from diverse indigenous communities across the globe
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“Throughout an intensive week of collaborative workshops, cultural exchange, and project development, I worked alongside fellow delegates to represent the Kurdish identity through the lens of ecotourism and my cultural projects for heritage and authentic arts in the Erbil citadel,” Barawi added.
“At the conclusion of the forum, I was elected by the international delegates to represent the Middle East in an ongoing cultural project that will continue until 2027.”
Barawi added that this role provides a unique opportunity to establish Kurdistan’s presence in one of the most visited and academically significant museums in Europe. “For the first time, our culture will be represented through an authentic and community-led voice – not only to tourists, but also to scholars, policymakers, and cultural institutions.
“My journey has always been driven by passion and volunteer work, rooted in love for my homeland and its people. Now, I see how these grassroots efforts can cross borders and bring visibility to the Kurdish narrative on international stages.”
Barawi also added that this opportunity opens the door for Kurdistan and its cultural ambassadors. “To fully realize this project and ensure Kurdish culture is represented in a dignified and accurate way until 2027, I call on the support of institutions, cultural authorities, artists, and activists in Kurdistan. Together, we can contribute to a historic effort to preserve and promote our heritage on the world stage.”
