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Kurdistan +100: Stories from a Future State
Winner of a PEN Translates Award 2021, Kurdistan + 100 poses a question to twelve contemporary Kurdish might the Kurds have a country to call their own by the year 2046—exactly a century after the last glimmer of independence (the short-lived Kurdish Republic of Mahabad). Or might the struggle for independence have taken new turns and new forms? Throughout the 20th century (and so far in the 21st), the Kurds have been betrayed, suppressed, stripped of their basic rights (from citizenship to the freedom to speak their own language) and had their political aspirations crushed at every turn. In this groundbreaking anthology, Kurdish authors (including several former political prisoners, and one currently serving a 183-year sentence for his views) imagine a freer future, one in which it is no longer effectively illegal to be a Kurd. From future eco-activism, to drone warfare, to the resuscitation of victims of past massacres, these stories explore different sides of the present struggle through the metaphor of futurism to dazzling effect.
224 pages, Paperback
Published June 22, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 29, 2025
a mixture of stories that i enjoyed and some that fell massively flat for me - the overall messaging of the book was interesting and despite not getting along with a few of the stories, they were still intriguing enough for me to continue reading
definitely one to try for yourself - ava homa’s story “friends beyond the mountains” was definitely my favourite
definitely one to try for yourself - ava homa’s story “friends beyond the mountains” was definitely my favourite
July 26, 2025
Lately, I’ve been deeply drawn to science fiction, and Kurdistan + 100 strikes me as one of the most exciting developments in the genre’s contemporary era, even if I occasionally struggle to connect with some of its stories.
The introduction by Orsola Casagrande and Mustafa Gündoğdu is outstanding, laying a solid historical foundation for the anthology. They recount the rise and fall of the Republic of Mahabad in 1946, a brief but pivotal moment of Kurdish self-governance. Though I hadn’t known about it before reading this, its resonance within the Kurdish historical consciousness is undeniable.
The editors also highlight the geographical and linguistic diversity of the Kurdish people, dispersed across Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria.
Crucially, they position science fiction as a vital tool for oppressed peoples: the ability to imagine better futures becomes, in itself, an act of comfort, resistance, and empowerment.
This is only a brief summary of a rich and insightful introduction. If there remains any doubt that anthologies are more than just collections of stories, this preface alone makes a powerful argument for treating the anthology as a literary form in its own right.
"The legacy of the Republic of Mahabad is still vivid in Kurdish cultural memory, not just for being the Kurds’ first modern experiment with self-rule, but also for the values it defended (equality, cultural tolerance, fraternity with the other peoples of the region and recognition of the Kurdish language). As such, it stands as an obvious point of historical reference for writing about Kurdish futures, a lens through which progressive, positive futures might be seen, even though, as a moment in time, it contains both hope and devastation." -Orsola Casagrande & Mustafa Gündoğdu
But what about the stories themselves?
First, it's deeply political. It's written in a style that's often utopian, almost wish-fulfilling. It's full of violence, abuse, and oppression, but it's always literary.
A recurring theme is technology used as both an oppressive surveillance mechanism and a potential tool for liberation. But the stories are always grounded in human experience. Many protagonists (often women) embark on personal journeys to uncover lost pieces of history and identity. Environmental concerns also frequently emerge, with devastated landscapes intertwined with narratives of healing and hope.
Two stories, in particular, stood out enough to make my personal list of all-time greats:
Friends Beyond the Mountains by Ava Homa
In a newly liberated Kurdistan, a young girl named Hataw watches her mother, a renowned activist, present her groundbreaking work at a celebration of Kurdish creativity. However, the event is abruptly interrupted by a violent military assault, leading to a desperate search for her missing mother amidst chaos and conflict. Terrifying and suspenseful.
The Story Must Continue by Muharrem Erbey. Translated from the Turkish by Andrew Penny
On her 21st birthday, Mahabad’s life takes a drastic turn when her father, the Governor of Amed Province, vanishes after sending a cryptic message. As she navigates the ensuing chaos and confusion, Mahabad sets out on a journey to find him, driven by love and a desire for answers. Natural elements and simple traditional life are mixed with flying robots, compulsory tracking chips, and advanced surveillance techniques.
To summarize the stories in general:
Waiting for the Leopard by Sema Kaygusuz. Translated from the Turkish by Nicholas Glastonbury
Good. the Leopard Warden who, isolated in his duty, brings a woman back to life using futuristic technology. Named Sedef, she gradually acquires language and memories of a past life, disrupting the boundaries set by their society.
The Wishing Star by Jîl Şwanî
Good. A journalist and his Kurdish translator navigate a transformed Mesopotamian marshland to document Kurdish villagers' lives under Turkish rule. Their journey is fraught with danger and reveals harrowing truths.
Friends Beyond the Mountains by Ava Homa
Great. In a newly liberated Kurdistan, a young girl named Hataw watches her mother, a celebrated activist, present her groundbreaking work at a cultural event celebrating Kurdish creativity. But the gathering is violently disrupted by a military attack, triggering a desperate search for her missing mother amid the chaos and escalating conflict.
My Handsome One by Selahattin Demirtaş, translated from Turkish by Amy Spangler
Good. A Kurdish woman reflects on her childhood and the powerful influence of her father as she prepares to sign a historic peace agreement.
The Letter by Nariman Evdike, translated from Kurmanji by Rojin Shekh-Hamo
Average. In a distant city, Jeen's mother, Zayno, passes away, leaving behind an old photograph and an unopened letter. Moved by these fragments of her mother’s past, Jeen sets off on a journey that takes her back to Kurdistan, where she uncovers hidden truths about her ancestry and a deep connection to her own identity.
The Story Must Continue by Muharrem Erbey, translated from Turkish by Andrew Penny
Great. On her 21st birthday, Mahabad’s life is turned upside down when her father, the Governor of Amed Province, disappears after sending her a mysterious message. Navigating through chaos and uncertainty, Mahabad embarks on a quest to find him, driven by love and a thirst for truth. Traditional life and natural landscapes intertwine with futuristic elements such as flying robots, tracking implants, and high-tech surveillance systems.
I Have Seen Many Houses in My Time by Karzan Kardozi
Good. A man recalls visiting a village after a global pandemic during his childhood. He remembers a mud-brick house in Shadala and the bonds he formed there, particularly with a boy named Rejan. The story portrays the village's struggle with inherited diseases and the emotional burden borne by the families affected.
Arzela by Meral Şimşek, translated from Turkish by Andrew Penny
Average. Now 60, Arzela remembers her life before and after taking refuge in the mountains during a devastating time in Kurdistan. Emerging from hiding, she finds peace in a wooden house gifted by Berfin, a young admirer. Arzela’s days are steeped in memories of loss, resilience, and the long fight for Kurdish independence. *See the footnote below for further context about this story.
The Last Hope by Qadir Agid, translated from Kurmanji by Kate Ferguson and Dîbar Çelik
Average. Qazî Muhammad wakes in a futuristic Kurdish city, disoriented by the technology and the radically transformed society. An elderly woman guides him through the city’s history of pain and renewal.
The Snuffed Out Candle by Jahangir Mahmoudveysi, translated from Sorani by Darya Najim and Khazan Jangiz
Good. Komar, a young man, discovers an old book in his grandfather’s home that opens a window into the traumatic past of the Kurdish people’s struggle for self-determination.
Cleaners of the World by Hüseyin Karabey, translated from Turkish by Mustafa Gündoğdu
Good. A young adult story featuring Kurdish environmental activists who combine bravery and technical skill to rehabilitate their polluted homeland.
Rising Like Water by Omer Dilsoz, translated from Kurmanji by Rojin Shekh-Hamo
Average. A group of Kurdish scientists explores a cave and launches a revolutionary solar-energy-based movement aimed at building a just and sustainable future for the Kurdish people.
The Age of the Iron Locusts by Yıldız Çakar, translated from Kurmanji by Harriet Paintin
Average. A mechanized Eastern empire the Iron Locusts invades a fertile, life-filled land, bringing destruction and imbalance.
Footnote on Arzela:
"Meral Şimşek, one of the contributors to this collection, now lives in exile in Germany. She was forced to leave her home, career, and family behind after the Turkish government made it impossible for her to remain in her native city of Amed (Diyarbakır). Accused of 'spreading terrorist propaganda,' she was put on trial and sentenced to 15 years in prison, with additional charges pending. Her fictional story 'Arzela,' published in this volume, was cited as 'evidence' of terrorism in court. Like thousands of other Kurds, Meral was driven into exile. Despite this, she continues to write and raise her voice against the ongoing repression of Kurdish intellectuals and dissidents across all parts of Kurdistan." -Orsola Casagrande, October 2023
The introduction by Orsola Casagrande and Mustafa Gündoğdu is outstanding, laying a solid historical foundation for the anthology. They recount the rise and fall of the Republic of Mahabad in 1946, a brief but pivotal moment of Kurdish self-governance. Though I hadn’t known about it before reading this, its resonance within the Kurdish historical consciousness is undeniable.
The editors also highlight the geographical and linguistic diversity of the Kurdish people, dispersed across Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria.
Crucially, they position science fiction as a vital tool for oppressed peoples: the ability to imagine better futures becomes, in itself, an act of comfort, resistance, and empowerment.
This is only a brief summary of a rich and insightful introduction. If there remains any doubt that anthologies are more than just collections of stories, this preface alone makes a powerful argument for treating the anthology as a literary form in its own right.
"The legacy of the Republic of Mahabad is still vivid in Kurdish cultural memory, not just for being the Kurds’ first modern experiment with self-rule, but also for the values it defended (equality, cultural tolerance, fraternity with the other peoples of the region and recognition of the Kurdish language). As such, it stands as an obvious point of historical reference for writing about Kurdish futures, a lens through which progressive, positive futures might be seen, even though, as a moment in time, it contains both hope and devastation." -Orsola Casagrande & Mustafa Gündoğdu
But what about the stories themselves?
First, it's deeply political. It's written in a style that's often utopian, almost wish-fulfilling. It's full of violence, abuse, and oppression, but it's always literary.
A recurring theme is technology used as both an oppressive surveillance mechanism and a potential tool for liberation. But the stories are always grounded in human experience. Many protagonists (often women) embark on personal journeys to uncover lost pieces of history and identity. Environmental concerns also frequently emerge, with devastated landscapes intertwined with narratives of healing and hope.
Two stories, in particular, stood out enough to make my personal list of all-time greats:
Friends Beyond the Mountains by Ava Homa
In a newly liberated Kurdistan, a young girl named Hataw watches her mother, a renowned activist, present her groundbreaking work at a celebration of Kurdish creativity. However, the event is abruptly interrupted by a violent military assault, leading to a desperate search for her missing mother amidst chaos and conflict. Terrifying and suspenseful.
The Story Must Continue by Muharrem Erbey. Translated from the Turkish by Andrew Penny
On her 21st birthday, Mahabad’s life takes a drastic turn when her father, the Governor of Amed Province, vanishes after sending a cryptic message. As she navigates the ensuing chaos and confusion, Mahabad sets out on a journey to find him, driven by love and a desire for answers. Natural elements and simple traditional life are mixed with flying robots, compulsory tracking chips, and advanced surveillance techniques.
To summarize the stories in general:
Waiting for the Leopard by Sema Kaygusuz. Translated from the Turkish by Nicholas Glastonbury
Good. the Leopard Warden who, isolated in his duty, brings a woman back to life using futuristic technology. Named Sedef, she gradually acquires language and memories of a past life, disrupting the boundaries set by their society.
The Wishing Star by Jîl Şwanî
Good. A journalist and his Kurdish translator navigate a transformed Mesopotamian marshland to document Kurdish villagers' lives under Turkish rule. Their journey is fraught with danger and reveals harrowing truths.
Friends Beyond the Mountains by Ava Homa
Great. In a newly liberated Kurdistan, a young girl named Hataw watches her mother, a celebrated activist, present her groundbreaking work at a cultural event celebrating Kurdish creativity. But the gathering is violently disrupted by a military attack, triggering a desperate search for her missing mother amid the chaos and escalating conflict.
My Handsome One by Selahattin Demirtaş, translated from Turkish by Amy Spangler
Good. A Kurdish woman reflects on her childhood and the powerful influence of her father as she prepares to sign a historic peace agreement.
The Letter by Nariman Evdike, translated from Kurmanji by Rojin Shekh-Hamo
Average. In a distant city, Jeen's mother, Zayno, passes away, leaving behind an old photograph and an unopened letter. Moved by these fragments of her mother’s past, Jeen sets off on a journey that takes her back to Kurdistan, where she uncovers hidden truths about her ancestry and a deep connection to her own identity.
The Story Must Continue by Muharrem Erbey, translated from Turkish by Andrew Penny
Great. On her 21st birthday, Mahabad’s life is turned upside down when her father, the Governor of Amed Province, disappears after sending her a mysterious message. Navigating through chaos and uncertainty, Mahabad embarks on a quest to find him, driven by love and a thirst for truth. Traditional life and natural landscapes intertwine with futuristic elements such as flying robots, tracking implants, and high-tech surveillance systems.
I Have Seen Many Houses in My Time by Karzan Kardozi
Good. A man recalls visiting a village after a global pandemic during his childhood. He remembers a mud-brick house in Shadala and the bonds he formed there, particularly with a boy named Rejan. The story portrays the village's struggle with inherited diseases and the emotional burden borne by the families affected.
Arzela by Meral Şimşek, translated from Turkish by Andrew Penny
Average. Now 60, Arzela remembers her life before and after taking refuge in the mountains during a devastating time in Kurdistan. Emerging from hiding, she finds peace in a wooden house gifted by Berfin, a young admirer. Arzela’s days are steeped in memories of loss, resilience, and the long fight for Kurdish independence. *See the footnote below for further context about this story.
The Last Hope by Qadir Agid, translated from Kurmanji by Kate Ferguson and Dîbar Çelik
Average. Qazî Muhammad wakes in a futuristic Kurdish city, disoriented by the technology and the radically transformed society. An elderly woman guides him through the city’s history of pain and renewal.
The Snuffed Out Candle by Jahangir Mahmoudveysi, translated from Sorani by Darya Najim and Khazan Jangiz
Good. Komar, a young man, discovers an old book in his grandfather’s home that opens a window into the traumatic past of the Kurdish people’s struggle for self-determination.
Cleaners of the World by Hüseyin Karabey, translated from Turkish by Mustafa Gündoğdu
Good. A young adult story featuring Kurdish environmental activists who combine bravery and technical skill to rehabilitate their polluted homeland.
Rising Like Water by Omer Dilsoz, translated from Kurmanji by Rojin Shekh-Hamo
Average. A group of Kurdish scientists explores a cave and launches a revolutionary solar-energy-based movement aimed at building a just and sustainable future for the Kurdish people.
The Age of the Iron Locusts by Yıldız Çakar, translated from Kurmanji by Harriet Paintin
Average. A mechanized Eastern empire the Iron Locusts invades a fertile, life-filled land, bringing destruction and imbalance.
Footnote on Arzela:
"Meral Şimşek, one of the contributors to this collection, now lives in exile in Germany. She was forced to leave her home, career, and family behind after the Turkish government made it impossible for her to remain in her native city of Amed (Diyarbakır). Accused of 'spreading terrorist propaganda,' she was put on trial and sentenced to 15 years in prison, with additional charges pending. Her fictional story 'Arzela,' published in this volume, was cited as 'evidence' of terrorism in court. Like thousands of other Kurds, Meral was driven into exile. Despite this, she continues to write and raise her voice against the ongoing repression of Kurdish intellectuals and dissidents across all parts of Kurdistan." -Orsola Casagrande, October 2023
December 20, 2025
Really interesting concept and purpose—collecting short sci-fi stories to reflect on Kurdish history since 1946 to imagine a hopeful, liberated future—with some good stories. I do recommend it, and am glad projects like this exist. It's no mean feat to collect thirteen stories in four languages from authors who face intense political repression.
In terms of the quality of the stories, there's quite a lot of variation, and I think the first three stories (Waiting for the Leopard, The wishing star, and Friends beyond the mountains) are the ones that stick most in my mind, while some of the later ones felt less polished with concepts that were less striking to me.
In terms of the quality of the stories, there's quite a lot of variation, and I think the first three stories (Waiting for the Leopard, The wishing star, and Friends beyond the mountains) are the ones that stick most in my mind, while some of the later ones felt less polished with concepts that were less striking to me.
December 20, 2023
A few stories were hit and miss for me but some others I enjoyed reading. The main gist of the anthology from what I gathered is that Kurds generally do not have any hope for the future, which is bleak but understandable. Overall a good selection and diverse range of stories but they were usually depressing lol
November 21, 2025
3.5 like alot of anthology’s there were some absolutely amazing 5star stories in this but there were several that just didn’t do it for me. I Would still recommend the book though everyone’s taste is different and there is alot of valuable info in here
July 21, 2024
RATED 81% POSITIVE. STORY SCORE 4.1 OF 5
13 STORIES : 2 GREAT / 6 GOOD / 5 AVERAGE / 0 POOR / 0 DNF
I knew very little about the Kurds or Kurdistan before reading this anthology. They were good allies in the American War in Iraq and were treated badly by later US governments in the peace that followed. I had heart they were victims of genocide and oppression. Not much else, unfortunately.
https://www.shortsf.com
The trend towards non-english science fiction in translation has intrigued me recently. I believe it is the most exciting thing happening in the modern era of the genre.
Even if I sometimes have difficulty relating to some of the stories.
The introduction by Orsola Casagrande and Mustafa Gündoğdu to Kurdistan+100 is excellent, providing a good historical foundation for the anthology. They recount the establishment and fall of the Kurdish Republic of Mahabad in 1946. This was a brief but important momemt of Kurdish self-governance. While unknown to me before this book, it resonates deeply in the Kurdish historical mind.
The editors remind us of the geographical and linguistic diversity of the Kurdish people: spread across Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria.
Finally, they bring science fiction into the discussion and how the ability to imagine a better future can be a comfort to oppressed people.
This is only the briefest summary of a long and valuable introduction to the anthology. If one still needs to make the case that anthologies are more than collections of stories, this is a strong argument in favor of the anthology as an original literary art form.
"The legacy of the Republic of Mahabad is still vivid in Kurdish cultural memory, not just for being the Kurd’s first modern experiment with self-rule, but also for the values it defended (equality, cultural tolerance, fraternity with the other peoples of the region and recognition of the Kurdish language). As such, it stands as an obvious point of historical reference for writing about Kurdish futures, a lens through which progressive, positive futures might be seen, even though, as a moment in time, it contains both hope and devastation."
— Orsola Casagrande & Mustafa Gündoğdu
But how are the stories, as stories?
Stridently political for one, much more so than the other volume I’ve read in this series (Iraq +100). Utopian frequently, almost to the point of wish fulfillment. Full of violence, abuse, and oppression. For me, it was at time alienating, but always of good literary merit.
Themes of technology as both an instrument of oppressive surveillance and as potential tool of liberation influence many of the stories, but the human element is always there. Characters - most often women - find themselves on journeys to discover lost pieces of their history and identity. Environmentalism plays its predictable role as well. There are backdrops of destruction as well as plot lines of hope and healing.
Two of the stories stood out, making my all-time great list:
https://www.shortsf.com/beststories
Friends Beyond the Mountains by Ava Homa
In a newly liberated Kurdistan, a young girl named Hataw watches her mother, a renowned activist, present her groundbreaking work at a celebration of Kurdish creativity. However, the event is abruptly interrupted by a violent military assault, leading to a desperate search for her missing mother amidst chaos and conflict. Terrifying and suspenseful.
The Story Must Continue by Muharrem Erbey. Translated from the Turkish by Andrew Penny
On her 21st birthday, Mahabad’s life takes a drastic turn when her father, the Governor of Amed Province, vanishes after sending a cryptic message. As she navigates the ensuing chaos and confusion, Mahabad sets out on a journey to find him, driven by love and a desire for answers. Natural elements and simple traditional life are mixed with flying robots, compulsory tracking chips, and advanced surveillance techniques.
***
Kurdistan + 100
13 STORIES : 2 GREAT / 6 GOOD / 5 AVERAGE / 0 POOR / 0 DNF
Waiting for the Leopard by Sema Kaygusuz. Translated from the Turkish by Nicholas Glastonbury
Good. the Leopard Warden who, isolated in his duty, brings a woman back to life using futuristic technology. Named Sedef, she gradually acquires language and memories of a past life, disrupting the boundaries set by their society.
The Wishing Star by Jîl Şwanî
Good. A journalist and his Kurdish translator travel through a transformed Mesopotamian marshlandscape to document the lives of Kurdish villagers under oppressive Turkish rule. The duo faces numerous challenges, including evading military patrols and witnessing the harrowing realities of the villagers' existence.
Friends Beyond the Mountains by Ava Homa
Great. In a newly liberated Kurdistan, a young girl named Hataw watches her mother, a renowned activist, present her groundbreaking work at a celebration of Kurdish creativity. However, the event is abruptly interrupted by a violent military assault, leading to a desperate search for her missing mother amidst chaos and conflict.
My Handsome One by Selahattİn Demİrtaş. Translated from the Turkish by Amy Spangler
Good. Kurdish woman reflecting on her childhood and her father’s influence as she prepares to sign a historic peace agreement.
The Letter by Nariman Evdike. Translated from the Kurmanji by Rojin Shekh-Hamo
Average. In a distant city, Jeen's mother Zayno dies, leaving behind an old photograph and an unopened letter. Intrigued by these remnants of her mother's past, Jeen embarks on a journey to uncover the secrets of her heritage, leading her back to Kurdistan where she discovers a profound connection to her family's history and her own identity.
The Story Must Continue by Muharrem Erbey. Translated from the Turkish by Andrew Penny
Great. On her 21st birthday, Mahabad’s life takes a drastic turn when her father, the Governor of Amed Province, vanishes after sending a cryptic message. As she navigates the ensuing chaos and confusion, Mahabad sets out on a journey to find him, driven by love and a desire for answers. Natural elements and simple traditional life are mixed with flying robots, compulsory tracking chips, and advanced surveillance techniques.
I Have Seen Many Houses in my Time by Karzan Kardozi
Good. A man reflects on his childhood memories of visiting a village in the aftermath of a global pandemic. He recalls a mud house in Shadala and the friendships he formed there, especially with a boy named Rejan. The story details the village's struggles with genetic diseases and the emotional toll on the families affected.
Arzela by Meral Şİmşek. Translated from the Turkish by Andrew Penny
Average. Arzela, now 60, recalls her life before and after taking refuge in a mountain during a catastrophic period in Kurdistan. Emerging from the mountain, she finds solace in a wooden house in the city, a gift from Berfin, a young woman who admires her. Arzela's life is marked by the memories of her past, including the loss of loved ones and the struggle for Kurdish independence. *please read the footnote about this story
The Last Hope by Qadir Agid. Translated from the Kurmanji by Kate Ferguson and Dîbar Çelik
Average. Qazî Muhammad finds himself in a futuristic Kurdish city, confused and overwhelmed by the advanced technology and societal changes. He encounters an old woman who explains the history of suffering and transformation the city has undergone.
The Snuffed Out Candle by Jahangir Mahmoudveysi. Translated from the Sorani by Darya Najim & Khazan Jangiz
Good. Komar, a young man, finds an old book in his grandfather's home that transports him to a vivid recollection of the tragic history of the Kurds' struggle for autonomy and independence.
Cleaners of the World by Hüseyin Karabey. Translated from the Turkish by Mustafa Gündoğdu
Good. A YA story about Kurdish environmental activists who use their courage and technological expertise to try to cleanse their polluted homeland.
Rising Like Water by Ömer Dilsoz. Translated from the Kurmanji by Rojin Shekh-Hamo
Average. A group of Kurdish researchers visit a cave and, launch a revolutionary movement focused on harnessing solar power to create a new, equitable future for the Kurds.
The Age of the Iron Locusts by Yıldız Çakar. Translated from the Kurmanji by Harriet Paintin
Average. The mechanized society of the East (Iron Locusts) are invading the lush environment
"Meral Şimşek, one of this book’s contributors is now living in exile in Germany, having been forced to leave her life, work and family behind after it became impossible for her to live in her hometown, Amed (Diyarbakır). In Turkey, she was put on trial, accused of ‘making terrorist propaganda’, found guilty (with a 15-year jail sentence) and facing 15 years on other charges. The fictional story ‘Arzela’, published in this book, was cited in the trial as ‘evidence’ of such ‘terrorism propaganda’. Meral was thus forced into exile, alongside thousands of other Kurds, but continues to write and speak out against the repression of Kurdish intellectuals and dissenters in all parts of Kurdistan."
— Orsola Casagrande, Oct 2023
13 STORIES : 2 GREAT / 6 GOOD / 5 AVERAGE / 0 POOR / 0 DNF
I knew very little about the Kurds or Kurdistan before reading this anthology. They were good allies in the American War in Iraq and were treated badly by later US governments in the peace that followed. I had heart they were victims of genocide and oppression. Not much else, unfortunately.
https://www.shortsf.com
The trend towards non-english science fiction in translation has intrigued me recently. I believe it is the most exciting thing happening in the modern era of the genre.
Even if I sometimes have difficulty relating to some of the stories.
The introduction by Orsola Casagrande and Mustafa Gündoğdu to Kurdistan+100 is excellent, providing a good historical foundation for the anthology. They recount the establishment and fall of the Kurdish Republic of Mahabad in 1946. This was a brief but important momemt of Kurdish self-governance. While unknown to me before this book, it resonates deeply in the Kurdish historical mind.
The editors remind us of the geographical and linguistic diversity of the Kurdish people: spread across Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria.
Finally, they bring science fiction into the discussion and how the ability to imagine a better future can be a comfort to oppressed people.
This is only the briefest summary of a long and valuable introduction to the anthology. If one still needs to make the case that anthologies are more than collections of stories, this is a strong argument in favor of the anthology as an original literary art form.
"The legacy of the Republic of Mahabad is still vivid in Kurdish cultural memory, not just for being the Kurd’s first modern experiment with self-rule, but also for the values it defended (equality, cultural tolerance, fraternity with the other peoples of the region and recognition of the Kurdish language). As such, it stands as an obvious point of historical reference for writing about Kurdish futures, a lens through which progressive, positive futures might be seen, even though, as a moment in time, it contains both hope and devastation."
— Orsola Casagrande & Mustafa Gündoğdu
But how are the stories, as stories?
Stridently political for one, much more so than the other volume I’ve read in this series (Iraq +100). Utopian frequently, almost to the point of wish fulfillment. Full of violence, abuse, and oppression. For me, it was at time alienating, but always of good literary merit.
Themes of technology as both an instrument of oppressive surveillance and as potential tool of liberation influence many of the stories, but the human element is always there. Characters - most often women - find themselves on journeys to discover lost pieces of their history and identity. Environmentalism plays its predictable role as well. There are backdrops of destruction as well as plot lines of hope and healing.
Two of the stories stood out, making my all-time great list:
https://www.shortsf.com/beststories
Friends Beyond the Mountains by Ava Homa
In a newly liberated Kurdistan, a young girl named Hataw watches her mother, a renowned activist, present her groundbreaking work at a celebration of Kurdish creativity. However, the event is abruptly interrupted by a violent military assault, leading to a desperate search for her missing mother amidst chaos and conflict. Terrifying and suspenseful.
The Story Must Continue by Muharrem Erbey. Translated from the Turkish by Andrew Penny
On her 21st birthday, Mahabad’s life takes a drastic turn when her father, the Governor of Amed Province, vanishes after sending a cryptic message. As she navigates the ensuing chaos and confusion, Mahabad sets out on a journey to find him, driven by love and a desire for answers. Natural elements and simple traditional life are mixed with flying robots, compulsory tracking chips, and advanced surveillance techniques.
***
Kurdistan + 100
13 STORIES : 2 GREAT / 6 GOOD / 5 AVERAGE / 0 POOR / 0 DNF
Waiting for the Leopard by Sema Kaygusuz. Translated from the Turkish by Nicholas Glastonbury
Good. the Leopard Warden who, isolated in his duty, brings a woman back to life using futuristic technology. Named Sedef, she gradually acquires language and memories of a past life, disrupting the boundaries set by their society.
The Wishing Star by Jîl Şwanî
Good. A journalist and his Kurdish translator travel through a transformed Mesopotamian marshlandscape to document the lives of Kurdish villagers under oppressive Turkish rule. The duo faces numerous challenges, including evading military patrols and witnessing the harrowing realities of the villagers' existence.
Friends Beyond the Mountains by Ava Homa
Great. In a newly liberated Kurdistan, a young girl named Hataw watches her mother, a renowned activist, present her groundbreaking work at a celebration of Kurdish creativity. However, the event is abruptly interrupted by a violent military assault, leading to a desperate search for her missing mother amidst chaos and conflict.
My Handsome One by Selahattİn Demİrtaş. Translated from the Turkish by Amy Spangler
Good. Kurdish woman reflecting on her childhood and her father’s influence as she prepares to sign a historic peace agreement.
The Letter by Nariman Evdike. Translated from the Kurmanji by Rojin Shekh-Hamo
Average. In a distant city, Jeen's mother Zayno dies, leaving behind an old photograph and an unopened letter. Intrigued by these remnants of her mother's past, Jeen embarks on a journey to uncover the secrets of her heritage, leading her back to Kurdistan where she discovers a profound connection to her family's history and her own identity.
The Story Must Continue by Muharrem Erbey. Translated from the Turkish by Andrew Penny
Great. On her 21st birthday, Mahabad’s life takes a drastic turn when her father, the Governor of Amed Province, vanishes after sending a cryptic message. As she navigates the ensuing chaos and confusion, Mahabad sets out on a journey to find him, driven by love and a desire for answers. Natural elements and simple traditional life are mixed with flying robots, compulsory tracking chips, and advanced surveillance techniques.
I Have Seen Many Houses in my Time by Karzan Kardozi
Good. A man reflects on his childhood memories of visiting a village in the aftermath of a global pandemic. He recalls a mud house in Shadala and the friendships he formed there, especially with a boy named Rejan. The story details the village's struggles with genetic diseases and the emotional toll on the families affected.
Arzela by Meral Şİmşek. Translated from the Turkish by Andrew Penny
Average. Arzela, now 60, recalls her life before and after taking refuge in a mountain during a catastrophic period in Kurdistan. Emerging from the mountain, she finds solace in a wooden house in the city, a gift from Berfin, a young woman who admires her. Arzela's life is marked by the memories of her past, including the loss of loved ones and the struggle for Kurdish independence. *please read the footnote about this story
The Last Hope by Qadir Agid. Translated from the Kurmanji by Kate Ferguson and Dîbar Çelik
Average. Qazî Muhammad finds himself in a futuristic Kurdish city, confused and overwhelmed by the advanced technology and societal changes. He encounters an old woman who explains the history of suffering and transformation the city has undergone.
The Snuffed Out Candle by Jahangir Mahmoudveysi. Translated from the Sorani by Darya Najim & Khazan Jangiz
Good. Komar, a young man, finds an old book in his grandfather's home that transports him to a vivid recollection of the tragic history of the Kurds' struggle for autonomy and independence.
Cleaners of the World by Hüseyin Karabey. Translated from the Turkish by Mustafa Gündoğdu
Good. A YA story about Kurdish environmental activists who use their courage and technological expertise to try to cleanse their polluted homeland.
Rising Like Water by Ömer Dilsoz. Translated from the Kurmanji by Rojin Shekh-Hamo
Average. A group of Kurdish researchers visit a cave and, launch a revolutionary movement focused on harnessing solar power to create a new, equitable future for the Kurds.
The Age of the Iron Locusts by Yıldız Çakar. Translated from the Kurmanji by Harriet Paintin
Average. The mechanized society of the East (Iron Locusts) are invading the lush environment
"Meral Şimşek, one of this book’s contributors is now living in exile in Germany, having been forced to leave her life, work and family behind after it became impossible for her to live in her hometown, Amed (Diyarbakır). In Turkey, she was put on trial, accused of ‘making terrorist propaganda’, found guilty (with a 15-year jail sentence) and facing 15 years on other charges. The fictional story ‘Arzela’, published in this book, was cited in the trial as ‘evidence’ of such ‘terrorism propaganda’. Meral was thus forced into exile, alongside thousands of other Kurds, but continues to write and speak out against the repression of Kurdish intellectuals and dissenters in all parts of Kurdistan."
— Orsola Casagrande, Oct 2023
March 8, 2024
🌱 A fundamental part of our existence is defined by the language we express ourselves in. That is why when we seek liberation, we first look for words in the language we're most comfortable in, to feel them, then perhaps modify them to encompass the spirit of freedom.
🌱 When you suppress a language and alphabets of a people, you make them hold it tighter than ever. As you read through "Kurdistan + 100 : Stories from a Future State", you see the words held tight and close, at last spill over in a manner of a free flowing river. You see subjects dealt with through science fiction, magical realism, climate activism and the power of dreams, ambitions, anticipation and yearning coursing through all of them.
🌱 I read it as an English translation, and while I will always gripe about not being able to read it in the language in which stories are written, (but then like Geetanjali Shree of Tomb of Sand said "We should not agonise about what is lost in translation. Something always changes when you move from one language to another. It will mingle with something new to become another rich entity."), I will always be glad to have gotten a chance to read it in whatever way I could.
🌱 The stories with their indomitable spirit of liberty, are derived from years of resistance and need for autonomy, as communities work together towards each other's upliftment. There is sadness but such unbridled hope and resilience, that the hope at times breaks heart, but people cannot afford to have desolation define their actions.
🌱 A few writers of the stories are at this point either in exile or in prison, and the historical and political import aside, the fact makes this collection significant by multitudes.
🌱 Thank you @translatedgems for the pick and you probably know by now that I am going to bug you for more Kurdish recommendations. 🥲
🌱 I will speak it out loud because I can and owe it.
Jin
Jiyan
Azadi
Kurdistan
🌿 //‘They’ve taken everything else from us: our mountains are black with their bombs, our walnut trees were plucked from the land, our land is barren and dead, and we can’t even speak in our language anymore. The sun, fire, and the foxes of our old stories are all we can give our children.’//
🌿 //It dawned on me that the distinction between horror and entertainment lay in your proximity to the events unfolding.//
🌿 //She would take my hand in hers and continue, ‘Although they may build many nests on the land, their trees will never take root.’ Before my grandma passed away she whispered in my ear, then took a seed wrapped in a green headscarf from under her pillow, and pressed it into my hand. Since that moment, my hand has felt a strong connection to the turpentine tree. I have crossed mountains and valleys, planting these trees wherever I go. Using a small spade I carry with me I dig into the soil, plant the seed and gently cover it. This earth is not the same earth as that which covers the faces of dead people. It is a living substance which has witnessed storms, wars, and genocides. But each time it is reborn.//
🌿 //Who can say that the trees are not like our children? Ever since my grandma put that seed in my hand, I have been holding onto the idea of it. It wasn’t just a tree, it was a thought that I watered every morning. Even if she wasn’t thirsty, still I gave her water. I filled my hands at Kaniya Xanike spring and gently let it trickle down into her soil. Sometimes the village women laughed at me and said, ‘The roots of the tree reach down to a well of water, you don’t need to give it handfuls of water like that.’ They didn’t know that I wasn’t giving that water out of necessity, but out of love.//
#translatedgemsbookclub #translatedbooks #kurdistan #kurdistan🇹🇯
🌱 When you suppress a language and alphabets of a people, you make them hold it tighter than ever. As you read through "Kurdistan + 100 : Stories from a Future State", you see the words held tight and close, at last spill over in a manner of a free flowing river. You see subjects dealt with through science fiction, magical realism, climate activism and the power of dreams, ambitions, anticipation and yearning coursing through all of them.
🌱 I read it as an English translation, and while I will always gripe about not being able to read it in the language in which stories are written, (but then like Geetanjali Shree of Tomb of Sand said "We should not agonise about what is lost in translation. Something always changes when you move from one language to another. It will mingle with something new to become another rich entity."), I will always be glad to have gotten a chance to read it in whatever way I could.
🌱 The stories with their indomitable spirit of liberty, are derived from years of resistance and need for autonomy, as communities work together towards each other's upliftment. There is sadness but such unbridled hope and resilience, that the hope at times breaks heart, but people cannot afford to have desolation define their actions.
🌱 A few writers of the stories are at this point either in exile or in prison, and the historical and political import aside, the fact makes this collection significant by multitudes.
🌱 Thank you @translatedgems for the pick and you probably know by now that I am going to bug you for more Kurdish recommendations. 🥲
🌱 I will speak it out loud because I can and owe it.
Jin
Jiyan
Azadi
Kurdistan
🌿 //‘They’ve taken everything else from us: our mountains are black with their bombs, our walnut trees were plucked from the land, our land is barren and dead, and we can’t even speak in our language anymore. The sun, fire, and the foxes of our old stories are all we can give our children.’//
🌿 //It dawned on me that the distinction between horror and entertainment lay in your proximity to the events unfolding.//
🌿 //She would take my hand in hers and continue, ‘Although they may build many nests on the land, their trees will never take root.’ Before my grandma passed away she whispered in my ear, then took a seed wrapped in a green headscarf from under her pillow, and pressed it into my hand. Since that moment, my hand has felt a strong connection to the turpentine tree. I have crossed mountains and valleys, planting these trees wherever I go. Using a small spade I carry with me I dig into the soil, plant the seed and gently cover it. This earth is not the same earth as that which covers the faces of dead people. It is a living substance which has witnessed storms, wars, and genocides. But each time it is reborn.//
🌿 //Who can say that the trees are not like our children? Ever since my grandma put that seed in my hand, I have been holding onto the idea of it. It wasn’t just a tree, it was a thought that I watered every morning. Even if she wasn’t thirsty, still I gave her water. I filled my hands at Kaniya Xanike spring and gently let it trickle down into her soil. Sometimes the village women laughed at me and said, ‘The roots of the tree reach down to a well of water, you don’t need to give it handfuls of water like that.’ They didn’t know that I wasn’t giving that water out of necessity, but out of love.//
#translatedgemsbookclub #translatedbooks #kurdistan #kurdistan🇹🇯
December 7, 2024
Kurdistan + 100 is not only a collection of science fiction stories; it is also a profound reflection on the history and future of Kurdistan. Thirteen forward-looking writers set their narratives 100 years into the future, but the past is always, inevitably, present. Despite the science fiction genre, the stories do not escape references to conflict and oppression in Kurdistan.
There is a glimmer of hope in the book, but it is not entirely impervious. In many stories the conflicts of the past lengthen their shadow and repeat themselves over and over again. This is not a collection of happy endings, but a work in which the harshness of reality comes to the surface. However, this should not be understood as pure resignation: the will and endurance to fight give strength to breathe and move forward. The stories show that survival is not always filled with great triumphs; it often becomes a testimony of constant suffering and struggle.
Nature is another silent protagonist in the anthology. The high mountains and landscapes of Kurdistan, whose symbolism is sprinkled throughout the stories, represent refuge, root and origin. The mountains are the promise of freedom, but also witnesses to exile and constant struggle. These landscapes are the scene of the search for physical and spiritual freedom, but at the same time they evoke the weight of reality: the eternal rivalry between oppression and hope.
Kurdistan + 100 is not only a book that gives account of the experiences and dreams of Kurdistan; it is also a universal mirror of the situation of minority languages and cultures. The stories of Kurdistan's writers are not only the keys to understanding their particular history; they are a metaphor for the struggle of much of humanity. The connection with nature, the search for roots and the question of the future: bringing all these elements together, Kurdistan + 100 proposes an unexpected emotional and intellectual journey. Not easy, but essential.
There is a glimmer of hope in the book, but it is not entirely impervious. In many stories the conflicts of the past lengthen their shadow and repeat themselves over and over again. This is not a collection of happy endings, but a work in which the harshness of reality comes to the surface. However, this should not be understood as pure resignation: the will and endurance to fight give strength to breathe and move forward. The stories show that survival is not always filled with great triumphs; it often becomes a testimony of constant suffering and struggle.
Nature is another silent protagonist in the anthology. The high mountains and landscapes of Kurdistan, whose symbolism is sprinkled throughout the stories, represent refuge, root and origin. The mountains are the promise of freedom, but also witnesses to exile and constant struggle. These landscapes are the scene of the search for physical and spiritual freedom, but at the same time they evoke the weight of reality: the eternal rivalry between oppression and hope.
Kurdistan + 100 is not only a book that gives account of the experiences and dreams of Kurdistan; it is also a universal mirror of the situation of minority languages and cultures. The stories of Kurdistan's writers are not only the keys to understanding their particular history; they are a metaphor for the struggle of much of humanity. The connection with nature, the search for roots and the question of the future: bringing all these elements together, Kurdistan + 100 proposes an unexpected emotional and intellectual journey. Not easy, but essential.
December 23, 2024
I’d give 3.5 stars if possible. Most of the stories in this anthology were a lot of fun to read. My favorites were probably “The Wishing Star” and “I Have Seen Many Houses In My Time”. Some of the stories really lost me and were difficult to read. That’s the reason for 3 stars here. Although, most of the stories were fun and insightful as to how the Kurdish people view their future. I also bought the book hoping to learn more about Kurdistan in general, which is possible by reading the introduction and afterword.
May 2, 2025
While an interesting concept, I did not love the execution of this book. I am not sure if it was because the book was translated or because many of the authors were not novelists but I found the characters in almost all of the short stories to be flat. In many cases, I felt that the scopes of the stories were too large, in the sense that so many different elements of world-building and setting were introduced but not fully played out. This lead to many of the stories feeling unfinished to me.
August 15, 2025
Ever since Ted Chiang's Exhalation, collections of short stories with a futuristic vision (for better, or worse) have a special place in my heart. Amidst that trend of taste, this collection struck the perfect chord. In a time when only the most egregious of colonial escalations heed global attention (yet still, inaction) to the experience of stateless peoples, this collection centering Kurdish voices is one I would highly recommend for your bedside table.
March 16, 2025
“Judgment Day was the last thing I needed…”
May 9, 2025
cool concept, may one day read the other ones in the collection. the kind of anthology id use in a class if i was a prof
July 2, 2024
I enjoy being taken to new places through the imagination of cultures other than my own, and there are few better ways than through speculative fiction. Kurdistan + 100 collects stories from twelve Kurdish writers dreaming about their nation 100 years after their self-governing Republic of Mahabad, that lasted from January 22 to December 15, 1946. Kurdistan is currently broken up across four regions, in present day Iraq, Iran, Turkey and Syria. But the people continue to be united by one vision: that of coming together to become one country again. And that’s mostly what this collection is about.
There are necessarily speculative elements in these stories: they are set in the future (2046), and the “What If” of a Kurdish Republic is at their heart. So there are driverless cars, and robots. But conflict and war have been part of the Kurdish experience, and feature in these stories too. Even so, these are stories about people: their memories, their home, and their longings. There’s love, and hope, and fear, and joy.
I mainly recommend this book for giving voice to the Kurdish people; you can hear in it from them about what they want, and dream, and what they’ve lived through. Here’s their voice; our job is to listen.
Many thanks to George Forster and Comma Press for a DRC.
There are necessarily speculative elements in these stories: they are set in the future (2046), and the “What If” of a Kurdish Republic is at their heart. So there are driverless cars, and robots. But conflict and war have been part of the Kurdish experience, and feature in these stories too. Even so, these are stories about people: their memories, their home, and their longings. There’s love, and hope, and fear, and joy.
I mainly recommend this book for giving voice to the Kurdish people; you can hear in it from them about what they want, and dream, and what they’ve lived through. Here’s their voice; our job is to listen.
Many thanks to George Forster and Comma Press for a DRC.
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