On Monday, 2 June 2025, the Centre for Kurdish Progress hosted a special event in the UK Parliament to honour the legendary Kurdish musician, poet, and activist Şivan Perwer. 

Held in Committee Room 10, the evening brought together parliamentarians, academics, community leaders, and supporters of Kurdish culture for a moving celebration of art, resilience, and political expression.

The discussion was expertly moderated by Lord David Watts, with keynote tributes from Feryal Clark MP, Minister for AI and Digital Government, and Osman Baydemir, former HDP parliamentarian and mayor of Diyarbakir. Both speakers highlighted Mr. Perwer’s extraordinary influence over five decades—his music and poetry not only preserving Kurdish identity in times of repression but also inspiring hope and resistance across generations.

In a rare public appearance, Şivan Perwer reflected on his 50-year artistic journey, life in exile, and the role of culture in the broader Kurdish struggle. Audience members engaged in a lively Q&A, exploring the intersections of art, politics, and identity in Kurdistan and the diaspora.

The Centre for Kurdish Progress is proud to have hosted this powerful evening of dialogue and cultural recognition, reaffirming our commitment to promoting Kurdish voices and fostering cross-cultural understanding.

You can view photos on our Flickr!

For a full streaming of the event, visit our Youtube channel!