A symbolic dome in the village of Kumbetler: affirming cultural identity

Arshad Kumbetli said the dome is not just architectural decoration. “There are several reasons for building this dome: to mark the village boundary, to add aesthetic and cultural value, and at the same time to identify the village's entry and exit point, which is important for security in the area,” he said.

Asked how the idea for the project came about, Kumbetli said:

“We want to reflect our history and identity. In the past every house in Kumbetler had a dome, and what is being done now is only a beginning. Pictures will be painted on both sides of the dome: one side will show Kumbetler as it was, and the other side the village as it is today. Our aim is to create a cultural memory.”

Kumbetli stressed that this is the first project carried out for the village.

“No other village has a dome like this at its entrance. The cost of the project was covered entirely by the Iraqi Turkmen Front, not by the government. If the government carried out such a project, it would have to do it for every village,” he said.

He thanked everyone who supported the project: “The architectural design was prepared on the initiative of Bilal Kumbetli, and Hasan Turan, the former leader of the Iraqi Turkmen Front, provided significant support. The opening ceremony was held recently and was attended by villagers and Qahtan al-Wendawi, head of the front's Kirkuk branch.”

Kumbetli said the village has been wholeheartedly attached to the Iraqi Turkmen Front for many years: “All the work done in this village since 2003 has been carried out by the Iraqi Turkmen Front. Our village is completely tied to the Turkmen Front, and from the entrance onwards you can see the front's imprint. We are very happy with this work.”