Washington, DC, USA (us.gov.krd)  - Kurdistan Regional Government Representative to the United States Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman spoke at the launch of the art exhibition “Speaking Across Mountains: Kurdish Artists in Dialogue” at the Middle East Institute in Washington, DC. She spoke about the importance of cultural exchanges between the US and Kurdistan, and commended the curators for bringing together diverse media and artistic styles to discuss the Kurdish condition.

Representative Abdul Rahman said, ‘In the past, the Kurdish voice was suppressed. Now we are able to tell our own story, to celebrate our own heroes and artists. This exhibition is a celebration of the talents and stories of the Kurdish people.’

The KRG Representation in Washington is sponsoring the exhibition, alongside the New York-based organization Justice for Kurds.

The exhibition hosts the works of ten renowned Kurdish artists. Through painting, video, photography, and installation, the artists reflect on themes that have long shaped the Kurdish experience, such as displacement, exile, memory and gender, while giving voice to the resilience of Kurdish communities in the face of decades of persecution.

Visitors to the Middle East Institute can view the exhibition until  February 20, 2020. The Middle East Institute is located at 1763 N St. NW in Washington, DC and is open weekdays from 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM.