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Culture Factory is a project launched in 2013 by a group of artists, academics, and activists with the aim of transforming the site of the former Cigarette Factory (operational from 1960 to 2013) into a cultural hub. The area covers approximately 70,000 square meters in the heart of the city and includes four large buildings, along with the layered memories of the many women who contributed to the economic development of that era.
Due to the high value of the land, it took nearly a decade for the Organization of Culture for Sustainable Development (OCSD) to convince the government to re-designate the area from commercial to cultural use. Eventually, the OCSD secured a 15-year contract that allows them to invest in and develop the site into a thriving cultural and artistic space, in line with the recognition the city of Sulaimani received as Capital of Culture in 2012.
Since 2021, in parallel with major renovations—including upgrades to the sewage, energy, and water systems—dozens of permanent projects have been launched to support this transformation. These include both artistic and non-artistic initiatives. Non-artistic programs focus on introducing new sports to the local community (such as hiking, climbing, water-based sports, chess, and car racing), as well as business-focused activities including startup training, handcrafts, solar energy ventures, recycling, and energy-saving practices. Workshops and training sessions also support the growth of creative enterprises.
On the artistic side, Culture Factory hosts businesses and gallery exhibitions in disciplines such as painting, comics, graphic design, ceramics, film production, writing (fiction, nonfiction, scripts, advertisements), and sculpture, among others.
In addition to these ongoing efforts, Culture Factory organizes seasonal and periodic events including book fairs, festivals, concerts, conferences, seminars, and showcases from universities and businesses. These activities aim to strengthen the city’s cultural and creative potential, helping to shape a forward-thinking society capable of addressing global challenges—such as environmental degradation, economic instability, and conflict—through collaborative and inclusive action.
Bringing together this diverse range of voices represents a collective effort to democratize decision-making and foster a culture of shared responsibility.
The Culture Factory project aims to transform one of Sulaimani’s most iconic landmarks into an economically viable center for culture and creativity—bringing together the city’s, and arguably the country’s, artistic and cultural communities under one roof to collaborate and co-create. It is an effort to build a shared space that amplifies the values of coexistence, peace-building, and mutual tolerance – strengthening the foundations of a modern, inclusive society. In doing so, the project also aspires to contribute to a greener, cleaner, and more hopeful future for the next generation.
We believe that international connections and communication – especially with federations such as GCDN – can greatly enrich our experience and resources. Being members will allow us to stay informed about the actions and solutions pursued by other organisations with similar missions. We are confident that joining GCDN is a valuable addition to Culture Factory’s growing list of achievements.