Martyr Shaban Ghafar Kurdish Language School Opens in France

To serve the new generation of Kurds living in the diaspora, the Kurdish Diaspora Center in the Auvergne region of France officially opened the Martyr Shaban Ghafar Kurdish Language School on Sunday, October 4, 2026, during a formal ceremony.

The educational project was launched with the support of the Kurdistani Diaspora Confederation and within the framework of a joint protocol with the Ministry of Education of the Kurdistan Regional Government, with the aim of promoting mother-tongue education for Kurdish children in the diaspora.

The opening ceremony was attended by dozens of children between the ages of 7 and 15 and their families. Kurdish families warmly welcomed the initiative and described it as an important step toward preserving the Kurdish language and culture in Europe.

During part of the ceremony, a representative of the Kurdistani Diaspora Confederation highlighted the reason behind naming the center after Martyr Shaban Ghafar. The representative explained that he was a national hero who sacrificed his life for his homeland and people. Therefore, choosing his name sends a message to students and the younger generation, encouraging them to learn the values of courage, self-sacrifice, and patriotism.

Meanwhile, Biwar Shaban, head of the Kurdish Diaspora Center in Auvergne, outlined the center’s broad strategy and programs. He noted that the center’s activities go beyond Kurdish language classes. They also aim to introduce French people to Kurdish history, culture, and civilization, and to educate the younger generation about them. In addition, the center assists Kurdish residents with administrative procedures and helps facilitate their integration into French society.

According to the center’s president, several different sectors have been established to develop the capabilities of the Kurdish community. These include a football team for children and young people, a Kurdish dance and folklore group aimed at preserving the community’s artistic heritage, an active youth network, and a dedicated women’s section. The women’s section works to strengthen the position of Kurdish women in the diaspora through awareness courses, education about citizens’ rights and responsibilities, and civic activities.

During the event, Veman Shan also spoke about the importance of mother-tongue education for children in the diaspora. He stressed that preserving a language means directly preserving an identity, as the Kurdish language serves as a bridge connecting new generations with the history and traditions of their people. Participating parents likewise expressed their appreciation to the Auvergne Center and the Kurdistani Diaspora Confederation for this educational initiative, which they said would help secure a brighter cultural future for their children.

This educational achievement has deep historical roots in France. The city of Clermont-Ferrand, located in the mountainous and scenic Auvergne region of central France, has for nearly four decades been one of the main centers of Kurdish settlement in the country.

The history of this community dates back to the late 1980s, when, as a result of the Anfal campaign and chemical attacks by Saddam Hussein’s Ba’athist regime in Iraq, a number of Kurdish families sought refuge in Europe. With the assistance of humanitarian organizations, particularly Danielle Mitterrand, they were settled in the city.

Although their numbers initially amounted to only a few hundred people, the Kurdish community in Auvergne continued to grow as a result of subsequent waves of migration, particularly following events in Western Kurdistan (Rojava). Today, the community consists of hundreds of families.

Over time, this community has transformed from a refugee population into a highly active and influential civic and cultural community. Through the establishment of various organizations, its members have developed strong ties with French society while preserving their national identity.

The opening of the Martyr Shaban Ghafar School at this stage is a clear example of the continued determination of Kurds in France to ensure that, despite their distance from their homeland, the language and cultural heritage of their ancestors remain alive and are passed on to future generations.