My country's hair turned white
Hear Jiyar Homer and British poet Mike Baynham speak about their translation of Dilawar Karadaghi’s My Country’s Hair Turned White.
My country's hair turned white
18 Aug 2025, 17:00 – 18:30
This event will celebrate the book launch of My Country’s Hair Turned White, a collection of poems by Dilawar Karadaghi, one of the most important contemporary Kurdish poets.
Jiyar Homer and Mike Baynham will discuss their translation of Karadaghi’s work. Dilawar Karadaghi’s poetry reflects the long years of persecution, marginalisation, and struggle that have defined the Kurdish experience. The poems in this collection are filled with longing, sadness, and loss.
Following the discussion, there will be a reading of selected poems in both Kurdish and English, offering a unique opportunity to experience Karadaghi’s work in its original language alongside its translation. The event will conclude with a Q&A.
Related links
- My Country’s Hair Turned White
- Centre for Applied Linguistics
- Department of Culture, Communication and Media
Image
Stacey Gabrielle Koenitz Rozells / Pexels.
Jiyar Homer
Translator and editor
He is from Kurdistan, a member of Kashkul, the Center for Arts and Culture at the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS), and an editor at Îlyan magazine and the Balinde Poetry publishing house.
Mike Baynham
Translator and poet
He is from West Yorkshire. In retirement he has returned to an early love of poetry translation, translating mainly from Spanish, Arabic and occasionally from Persian.
Further information
Ticketing
Pre-booking essential
Cost
Free
Open to
All
Availability
Yes
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