Artists and performers from a diverse array of countries came together to celebrate cultural diversity at the Festival of Different Cultures, held in the town of Rania in the Kurdistan Region. The two-day festival, which kicked off on Friday at Rania's Darwaza Park, will extend into a third day of festivities in the town of Koya, located in Erbil province.

Organized by the Rayal Organization, the Festival of Different Cultures has become an annual tradition. Despite the challenging political and economic climate in the Kurdistan Region, Khalid Qadir, the head of Rayal Organization, explained that the decision to host the festival was motivated by a commitment to giving "art its say on life, coexistence, and peace."

The event brought together artistic groups from various regions, fostering unity and cross-cultural dialogue. Participants included artists and performers from cities within the Kurdistan Region, such as Erbil, Sulaimani, Duhok, and Rania, as well as representatives from Baghdad and Basra in Iraq. International artists from countries including Greece, Georgia, Iran, Ghana, and Azerbaijan also contributed to the festival's rich tapestry of cultural expression.

The Festival of Different Cultures serves as a platform for these artists to showcase their unique talents and engage in various forms of artistic expression, uniting people from across the globe in celebration of their shared humanity. In a world sometimes divided by political tensions and economic hardships, events like this offer a beacon of hope, promoting understanding and coexistence through the universal language of art. The festival continues to be a testament to the power of culture in bringing people together, transcending boundaries and promoting peace and unity in the Kurdistan Region and beyond.