Hawar (magazine)

Hawar (meaning The Cry in English) was a Kurdish literature magazine, which was published in Damascus between 1932 and 1943.[1] The magazine was first issued by Celadet Alî Bedirxan[1] on 15 May 1932. The magazine was the first Kurdish literary magazine in Syria[2] and it was intended to publish it on a monthly basis,[2] but its publication was interrupted several times. The first 23 issues were published between 15 May 1932 and the 27 September 1935.[3] The issues number 24 - 26 appeared between 1 April 1934 and 18 August 1935.[3] The remainder was published between April 1941 and August 1943,[3] and the French, who governed Syria and Lebanon at the time, supported its publication.[4] The 57th and last issue was released on 15 August 1943.[5] The first 23 issues of the magazine were published in both the Latin and the Arabic alphabets, but from the 24th issue onward, only the Latin alphabet was used.[3] The Kurdish alphabet, which was formulated by the publisher Celadet Alî Bedirxan and also referred to as Hawar alphabet or the Bedirxan alphabet, was used to publish Hawar.[6] The texts which were published emphasized the value of the Kurdish folklore for developing the Kurdish language and personal qualities.[7] Hawar had its most subscribers in Syria and Iraq, but also Lebanon, Iran. Some educational institutions and libraries in Europe and the Middle East also subscribed to the Hawar magazine.[8] Since 2006, the 15 May, the date of the first publication of Hawar in 1932, is celebrated as the Kurdish language day.[9][10]

Celadet Alî Bedirxan said of his purpose for the magazine: "Hawar is the voice of knowledge. Knowledge leads to personal reflection. A person who becomes aware of the inner-self desires freedom and happiness. Self-knowledge also leads to self-expression. This magazine will reflect those expressions in the Kurdish language".[2]