Iraqi Kurds prepare for new year with concerts and festive night market

Описание: (28 Dec 2025)
IRAQ NEW YEAR MARKET

SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS

RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

LENGTH: 2:58

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Erbil, Iraq – 24 December 2025
++NIGHT SHOTS++
1. Various of Kurdish singing group performing on stage
2. Illuminated Happy NewYear 2026 sign on Erbil Citadel
3. Various of people checking street market in the city, taking pictures
4. Various of food stalls offering traditional food to visitors
5. SOUNDBITE (Kurdish) Viyan Mohammed, cook from Erbil:
“The sale is better because of these kind of festivals where people come out and buy stuff. I mean this area is beautiful and well prepared so it brings joy and happiness to people.”

6. People walking in market street, festive lights in street
7. People buying potato chips from food kiosk
8. Various of kalana (traditional Kurdish food) being made
9. Teapots on wood fire
10. SOUNDBITE (Kurdish) Shino Ibrahim, baker of traditional kalana in Erbil:
“Well, this festival is a great opportunity for women because they can have their own business, and it is nice to come out and do your own job. It makes people happy too, especially when they taste these things.”

11. Families with children at the market with balloons
12. Various of painter painting child's face
13. Various of food stalls in the street market
14. People walking in the market
15. SOUNDBITE (Kurdish) Omar Karim, resident:
“The unique thing about this place is that traditional things are being displayed, along with some types of food that people don't do at home anymore, and I am talking about traditional Kurdish food. So it is being revived and introduced to new people and foreigners who come here because of these events.”

16. Kurdish music group performing on stage
17. Various of audience
18. People taking videos of the event
19. Wide of people at the market
20. Close on lights
STORYLINE:
A vibrant annual street market opened in Erbil to welcome the new year as Iraqi Kurds prepare for upcoming celebrations.

Perched next to the famous Erbil Citadel, a UNESCO heritage site, the market was decorated with festive lights as music blared from a nearby stage.

Starting at dusk, visitors wandered the various food stalls serving a range of traditional Kurdish food, including kalana, a stuffed flat bread, and kutilk dow, dumplings cooked in yogurt sauce, which is a staple across the region.

Shino Ibrahim, a baker, said she values the seasonal market because it provides opportunities for women to run their own business and become entrepreneurs.

Viyan Mohammed, a cook, echoed similar sentiments, saying that the market has helped her boost sales around the holidays.

Local authorities also hope to use the market as an opportunity to bring people to the city's ancient citadel.

Omar Karim, a visitor to the market, said it is a valuable tool to revive and showcase Kurdish culture.

"Some types of food that people don’t make at home anymore... are being revived and introduced to new people and foreigners," he added.

In addition to the culinary variety, the market includes a stage for local and regional performers who dazzled the crowd in their concerts, adorned in intricate traditional attire.

The street market was installed a week before the new year and will remain open until Jan 2, 2026.

AP video by Rashid Yahya

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