Silva Mnla Othman

Aleppo – The Reading House named after Nagihan Akarsel was inaugurated in Aleppo’s eastern Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood on October 4, 2023, marking the first anniversary of her assassination. Akarsel was killed in Sulaymaniyah, in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, by a Turkish drone strike.

The Reading House was founded to fulfill part of Akarsel’s dream: to create spaces that spread culture, awareness, and knowledge—especially among women. A member of the Jineolojî Academy (the science of women) and editor-in-chief of its magazine, Akarsel had loved books since childhood. Throughout her life, she fought tirelessly for women’s freedom, empowerment, and rights.

Akarsel played a leading role in the Women’s Revolution in North and East Syria. Her activism made her a target of the Turkish state, which carried out the attack in Kurdistan. Since her killing, authorities in the Kurdistan Region have remained silent in the face of repeated violations of their territory by Turkey.

The Purpose of the Reading House

According to Zainab Hamo, a member of the Jineolojî Center in Aleppo, the Reading House aims to provide a peaceful and organized environment for readers and students.

“It’s not limited to a certain age group,” she explained. “Adults, youth, and children all come here.”

The collection is diverse: philosophical works, historical studies, world and regional literature in Arabic, Kurdish, Turkish, and English. There are also colorful children’s books and magazines designed to spark curiosity and imagination.

Books on the Shelves

Among the titles is “Kül Kokusu” (The Smell of Ashes), a collection of Akarsel’s own writings. Readers will also find books on women’s struggles, freedom, and the future of the Women’s Revolution, alongside the philosophy of Jin, Jiyan, Azadî (“Women, Life, Freedom”). Works by Abdullah Öcalan, including his Manifesto series, sit beside volumes of history and religious stories.

The Reading House attracts between 30 to 40 visitors each day. Students often finish their studies and then choose a book to read, making the most of their time by blending education with self-enrichment.

As Hamo explained, the space also encourages discussion and exchange of ideas—an essential step in broadening awareness and building knowledge. The Reading House is open daily, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., free of charge.

The vision behind the project was larger than a single building. One of Akarsel’s wishes was for such reading houses to exist in multiple locations. The idea was proposed by the Jineolojî Academy and carried out by the Jineolojî Research Center in Aleppo.

More Than Just Reading

The Reading House is not limited to study and reading sessions. It also serves as a cultural hub, hosting events such as Kurdish Language Day, International Women’s Day, lectures on violence against women, introductions to Jineolojî, as well as training courses in chess, workshops on making candy apples, musical performances, and poetry evenings.

Each year, on the anniversary of her assassination—and simultaneously the anniversary of the Reading House—the center organizes a memorial event for Nagihan Akarsel, reflecting on the year’s achievements and activities.

Who Was Nagihan Akarsel?

Born in 1976 in the town of Khilikan in Konya, Turkey, Nagihan Akarsel studied journalism, radio, and media at Gazi University in Ankara. She dedicated her life to the liberation of women from patriarchal oppression. Her legacy continues today through the Reading House and the lives she inspired.