Abdulla Goran Kurdish poet, founder of modern Kurdish literature. Country: Iraq

Abdullah Goran: Kurdish Poet and Pioneer of Modern Kurdish Literature

Abdullah Goran, a renowned Kurdish poet and the founder of modern Kurdish literature, was born into a family of poets. He received his education in Kirkuk, Iraq. From 1927 to 1935, he worked as a school teacher and later became the chief editor of the newspaper "Zhin" ("Life") from 1952 to 1954, as well as the magazine "Shafak" ("Dawn") from 1959 to 1960.

Throughout his life, Goran faced persecution and imprisonment due to his political activities. He began publishing his work in 1920, starting as a romantic poet with a focus on celebrating women and nature. He was influenced by European modernism and incorporated its elements into his poetry. However, in his later works, the dominant themes revolved around his love for Kurdistan and his dream of its independence.

One of his notable poems, "The Gift of the God of War" (1941), criticized militarism, while his qasidas, such as "Red Benches" (1950), protested against the war in Korea. In late 1958, Goran visited the Soviet Union, where he wrote several poems, including "The Prison of Azhdahak" and others.

Tragically, Abdullah Goran passed away from cancer, leaving behind a remarkable legacy as a poet who dedicated his life to expressing the aspirations and struggles of the Kurdish people.