Originally from Kirkuk, Baban Kirkuki has spent years establishing himself as a poet in Dutch literary circles.
With four poetry collections to his name, Kirkuki’s work has appeared in Dutch magazines, newspapers, and literary platforms. His poetry is even displayed on the streets of Utrecht, with verses inscribed along city pathways. In a notable achievement, the city’s central library features a digital screen broadcasting his poetry 24 hours a day, allowing the public to engage with his work.
Speaking about the role of language in poetry, Kirkuki said it is crucial, but not the only defining factor. “Poetry also requires deeper thought and emotion,” he told Rudaw on Saturday. He described Eastern poetry as rich in sentiment and in Europe is sometimes perceived as overly emotional or exaggerated.
Kirkuki has been writing poetry in Dutch since 2002 and believes in offering fresh perspectives through his work. “What matters most is creating a new thought, a vivid world that hasn’t been imagined before,” he explained. “It’s about how you see something and how you describe it in a unique way.”
His poetry is held to high standards, he added, as Dutch publishers carefully assess linguistic quality and the strength of ideas before publication. His Dutch-language poem Moedertaal (Mother Tongue) will be released on March 21, coinciding with both World Poetry Day and Newroz, the Kurdish new year. The poem has already been translated into multiple languages, including English, Italian, and Arabic, and will soon be available in Kurdish.
Kirkuki remains deeply connected to Kurdistan, despite his growing influence in Europe. “My poetry is a bridge between cultures. I want people to remember the name of Kirkuk, to know that Kirkuk has poets and writers,” he stated.
His latest collection, Tishkî Nenasraw (Unfamiliar Light), was recently published and he is currently working on a new book set for release next year.
The poet’s motivation for writing in Dutch stems from a desire to ensure his work reaches a wider audience. “If I wrote only in Kurdish, people here would not read it,” he explained. “I wanted my poetry to be accessible to Dutch society, while also representing Kurdish literature on an international level.”
As his work gains increasing recognition, Kirkuki continues to be a literary voice bridging Eastern and Western poetic traditions, bringing Kurdish narratives to the forefront of Dutch literature.[1]