Stockholm, Sweden (KRG.org) – The Kurdistan Regional Government last month held its annual Kurd Galas in Stockholm, Oslo and Copenhagen to honour Kurdistan's friends abroad and celebrate the achievements of Kurds in Scandinavia.

At the three galas held in late January, Mr Taha Barwary, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Minister of Sports and Youth, welcomed government officials, MPs, diplomats, and Swedish and Kurdish youth associations.

Mr Barwary said, “We are proud that Kurdistan has such friends in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. Your support has helped to highlight Kurdish issues and improve the lives of Kurds both at home and in the Diaspora." He added, "We are also here to honour Kurds who have shown by example how we can contribute positively as members of Swedish society.”

The ceremonies recognised individuals' and organisations' achievements in three categories: the Friend of the Kurds Honorary award, the Friend of the Kurds, and the Kurd of the Year. Kurdish and Swedish comedians, singers and performers entertained the audience.

Among the recipients of awards were:

In Sweden: Mr Thomas Hammarberg for his many years of support for the Kurds; Qandil, the Swedish NGO, for its reconstruction and water projects in Kurdistan since 1992; and Kurdish football team Dalkurd FF which has broken records in the Swedish leagues.

In Norway: Mrs Wenche Larsen, co-founder of the NGO Kurdish Solidarity; Mr Erling Folkvord, a former Red Party MP who has authored books on and supported Kurdish issues for many years; and Mr Haci Akman for helping to establish a Kurdish museum in the city of Bergen.

In Denmark: Mr Holger K. Nielsen, former Leader of the Socialist Party in Denmark (SF), for his dedication to the Kurdish question; Mr Klaus Slavensky of the Danish Institute for Human Rights for helping to improve Kurdish people's lives; and Mr Kameran Brahimi, founder of the TV channel Kurdantv in Copenhagen.

Photos of the Swedish gala

Photos of the Danish gala

Click here to read more about the Kurd Galas.