The Çolbirr Prize in Kurdish Linguistic Studies Honours Khushman Qado in Its Inaugural Edition
Ramina Books in London has announced that writer, translator, and journalist Khushman Qado has been awarded the first edition of the Çolbirr Prize in Kurdish Linguistic Studies for 2025, following the jury’s decision to select his name from among a shortlist of nominees.
The jury explained that its choice was guided by an appreciation of outstanding research and creative contributions to the service of the Kurdish language.
Qado was selected in recognition of his significant contributions to Kurdish writing and his translations from Arabic into Kurdish. He has rendered into Kurdish prominent literary works by Arab writers from different generations, maintaining the aesthetic value of the texts while adapting them to contemporary Kurdish literary sensibilities.
Qado has also overseen initiatives to translate literature from the Gulf region — Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain — enabling Kurdish readers to encounter new voices beyond their usual scope, thereby helping to build a vibrant cultural bridge between the Kurds and the Arab world.
In addition, he edits and leads a team working on the publication and review of the late Bilal Hassan’s (Çolbirr) unpublished Kurdish–Kurdish dictionary. This effort carries profound symbolic value, continuing the work of earlier Kurdish linguists while opening a new horizon for the present and future generations.
The Çolbirr Prize in Kurdish Linguistic Studies is an annual award launched in honour of the late Kurdish researcher and linguist Bilal Hassan (Çolbirr). It aims to support studies and initiatives dedicated to safeguarding and developing the Kurdish language. In its first edition, the prize has chosen to focus on encouraging the younger generation in Syria to engage with Kurdish language, heritage, and literature.
Poet and translator Lawin Shekho, speaking on behalf of the jury, said: “Khushman Qado represents the new generation of Syrian Kurds — a generation carrying the legacy of its predecessors with renewed vision and energy. His creative work in writing, translation, and linguistic editing, and his leadership in major cultural projects such as the Kurdish–Kurdish dictionary of the late Bilal Hassan, make him a true continuation of Çolbirr’s legacy. We see in him a model of a writer and translator who unites creative sensibility with commitment to identity. His winning the inaugural award sends a clear signal that the Kurdish language is in safe hands.”
For his part, Haitham Hussein, General Director of Ramina Books, commented: “We are delighted that the first edition of the prize honours a writer and translator such as Khushman Qado, whose work embodies dedication to the Kurdish language and loyalty to the legacy of its pioneers. His recognition today confirms that the prize is heading in the right direction, giving a deserved voice to the new generation of Syrian Kurds and establishing an annual cultural tradition that links past, present, and future.”
The winner, Khushman Qado, expressed his pride in these words: “I feel deeply honoured by this recognition, not only on a personal level but because it is a tribute to an entire generation of young writers and translators striving to preserve and develop our Kurdish language. This prize bears a name dear to all our hearts, the late Bilal Hassan (Çolbirr), and I regard it as a responsibility as much as an encouragement. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Çolbirr’s family for their support in ensuring this legacy continues, and to Ramina Books for their commitment to serving and promoting Kurdish culture. I hope to prove worthy of this trust and to carry on working in service of our language and culture, for they are our identity and our future.”
Who is Khushman Qado?
Born in Amuda in 1982, Khushman Qado grew up in a multilingual and multicultural environment that shaped his linguistic awareness and creative sensibility from an early age. Over more than fifteen years, he has left a notable mark in various fields:
Creative Writing
- A poetry collection in Arabic: Look at Her, How Tired You Are – winner of the Second Prose Poetry Forum Prize, Cairo (2010).
- A short story collection in Kurdish: Qolinc, Sham Press, Qamishli (2013).
- A Kurdish prose collection: Dema Ku Bi Pinpinîkan Şa Dibim, Lis Publishing, Amed/Diyarbakir (2016).
Journalism and Media
- Worked as editor and editor-in-chief at leading Kurdish platforms such as Shar magazine and the “RÊ” cultural platform.
- Managed radio projects at VON Radio, overseeing programming and editorial content.
- Authored in-depth reports and investigations on social and cultural issues.
Translation
- Rendered numerous Arabic literary works into Kurdish, including:
- He Was Asleep When the Revolution Began by Egyptian poet Emad Abu Saleh.
- The Autumn of Innocence by Lebanese writer and journalist Abbas Beydoun.
- The Critical Case of “K” by Saudi writer Aziz Mohammed.
- A Snake Devours Its Tail by Saudi writer Hussein Al-Dhaw.
- Selected poems by Lebanese poet Iskandar Habash.
- Poetry collections by contemporary Arab poets including Ahmed Zakaria and Mahmoud Wahba.
- Worked in media translation, including radio bulletins and documentaries between Arabic and Kurdish.
Filmmaking and Photography
- Contributed to documentaries and short films including Zarkoin Em (2016), The Lonely Trees (2017), and Mako Sar e (2015).
- Produced Stories of People, a series of 12 documentaries for Ronahi TV (2023).
Journalistic Training
- Trained young people in print journalism and photography within local organisation projects.
- Conducted workshops to build the capacities of the new generation of Kurdish journalists.
Heritage Work
- Participated in teams documenting Kurdish folk tales in audio format.
About the Prize
The Çolbirr Prize in Kurdish Linguistic Studies is awarded annually on 20 September, commemorating the passing of the renowned Kurdish linguist Bilal Hassan (Çolbirr). In its first edition, the prize has been dedicated to honouring an individual residing in Syria working in the field of the Kurdish language, whether through linguistic research, lexicography, heritage studies, or translation.
The prize carries a value of USD 1,000, in addition to Ramina Books’ commitment to publishing a new work by the laureate in the fields of language, dictionaries, or heritage. The award thus contributes to supporting efforts to protect, develop, and enhance the presence of the Kurdish language in the contemporary cultural landscape.