Art Exhibition in London Commemorates Victims of the Anfal Genocide
News : 7/3/2026
London,
United Kingdom, www.uk.gov.krd. An evocative art exhibition commemorating the
victims of the 1988 Anfal genocide against the Kurdish people in Kurdistan
Region has opened in London, bringing together High Representative of the
Kurdistan Regional Government, local councillors, members of the Kurdish
community, and supporters of Kurdistan to reflect on one of the darkest
chapters in modern history.
The exhibition, created by renowned Kurdish artist Dr. Osman Ahmed, was officially
opened in the presence of KRG High Representative Karwan Jamal Tahir, members of
Hammersmith and Kensington councils, Kurdish friends, and community
representatives. Featuring a collection of paintings developed over many years,
the exhibition documents the atrocities of the Anfal campaign and serves as a
powerful tribute to its victims.
Through his artwork, Dr. Ahmed preserves the memories of
a genocide whose perpetrators sought to erase all traces of their crimes. While
little photographic or recorded evidence remains, his paintings capture the
human suffering, resilience, and enduring memory of those who survived,
connecting the past with the present and ensuring future generations remember
the crimes committed against the people of Kurdistan.
Addressing attendees at the opening, High Representative
Karwan Jamal Tahir praised Dr. Ahmed's dedication to documenting crimes against
humanity through art. "Today, we witnessed how the human spirit can resist
and endure through the powerful force of art," he said. "The
perpetrators of the Anfal campaign deliberately left behind no photographic or
recorded evidence because they did not want the world to see their crimes. They
wanted silence to prevail. But those memories remained alive in the hearts and
minds of the survivors." He added
KRG High Representative said: "These works ensure
that future generations, both in Kurdistan and across the world, understand
what happened. They remind us that 'never again' must be more than a phrase, it
must become a lasting commitment to education, remembrance, and preventing such
atrocities from ever happening again."
Dr. Osman Ahmed also addressed the audience, outlining
the inspiration behind the exhibition and the years of research and artistic
work that shaped the collection. He explained that the exhibition seeks to
raise international awareness of the injustices suffered by the Kurdish people,
using art as a universal language to preserve historical memory and promote
understanding. The artist also expressed his appreciation to the Kurdistan
Regional Government Representation in the UK for its sponsorship and continued
support of the project.
The exhibition will remain open to the public until 8 July, welcoming visitors daily
from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.at the Millennium Art
Gallery in London.
London
3rd July 2026