At a Glance

• The Payz Festival will launch at Ranya Gorge on October 9.
• The festival will continue every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday through autumn.
• Visitors can enjoy cultural, artistic, sports, and outdoor activities.
• A running marathon for young men and women is scheduled for October 10.

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The Payz (autumn) Festival will launch at Ranya Gorge tomorrow, bringing a range of cultural, artistic, sports, educational, and social activities to the Raparin area throughout the autumn season.

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Key Statements and Focus Area

• Festival Schedule: Activities will take place every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday until the end of autumn.
• Program: A running marathon for young men and women will take place on Saturday, October 10, starting from Ranya Gorge and continuing into the festival grounds.
• Focus: The festival is designed as an open and flexible gathering where visitors can choose activities and attend at different times throughout the day.

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The festival is sponsored by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Qubad Talabani, and organized in coordination with Channel8.

Guest reception will begin at 10:00 a.m., with government officials, Tourism Board representatives, and officials from the Raparin Administration expected to attend. Stage performances will begin at 4:00 p.m., followed by live music and light shows from 5:00 p.m. as the sun sets.

The Autumn Festival will cover a wide area and continue across the autumn season. Visitors will be able to choose which activities to attend and when to join. Around 3,000 people are expected to gather in the open natural setting, with dozens of literary, artistic, cultural, athletic, and social activities planned.

The program includes football, volleyball, rugby, wrestling, kickboxing, yoga, frisbee, cornhole, camping, outdoor cinema, live music, bonfire gatherings, and fireworks. Special activities will include off-roading and ATVs, horseback riding, art exhibitions, kayaking, and paddling.

Visitors will also have access to cafés, bakeries, markets, and restaurants offering Kurdish food, grilled dishes, fish, and fast food, alongside shops selling handicrafts, gifts, and other items. Tents and sleeping bags will be available for campers, while visitors can also bring their own equipment. Prayer areas, restrooms, and changing rooms for men and women will be provided.

FYI

Seasonal festivals across the Kurdistan Region bring together cultural, artistic, sporting, and recreational activities, often taking advantage of the region’s natural landscapes and changing seasons.

These events provide opportunities for communities and visitors to gather, experience local traditions, enjoy outdoor activities, and support tourism and local businesses.

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