This article tries to briefly discuss the history of printing and the emergence of printing houses in Sulaimani, and it attempts to indicate the vital role and influence of this profession. There is no doubt that the establishment of printing houses in Sulaimani has had a great impact on cultural, social, literary, artistic and even political fields in South Kurdistan. Similar to the history of our journalism associated to the appearance of printing presses and the construction of printing houses in Sulaimani. Printing newspapers and books and distributing them among the people has helped to protect Kurdish language and literature from extermination, develop the cultural, spread science and information, spread more awareness and raise awareness of people to demand their rights. They have been gathering around the printing house and publishing newspapers. They have paid attention to Kurdish history, literature, language and culture in their writings and articles.
“The first printing press”
Majorson carried the first printing press to Sulaimani and published the first Kurdish newspaper in Kurdistan, Peshkeutn. The printing house had a small old German letter press. He brought it to Sulaimani from Basra. He rented the house of Fars Effendi opposite Hama Awrahman Agha’s house. From April 1920 to July 1922, he published 118 issues of the newspaper Peshkeutn. He taught three educated people how to print, namely Sheikh Majid Sheikh Arif, Adib Aziz and Mohammed Zuhdi.
“The Printing Workers”
The South Kurdistan government (10/10/1922-3/3/1923) managed the printing house as follows: – Sheikh Abdulmajidi Sheikh Arif, director of the printing house. Mohammed Adib Aziz co-author. Mohammed Tofiq Muratib, Mohammed Tayeb Makinechi When “Sheikh Mahmoud”, relations with the British broke down. On 4-3-1923, he left Sulaymaniyah with his army and moved to Surdash area. On March 8, 1923, he published the first issue of the newspaper Bangi Haq. After a while, the Kurdistan army led by Sheikh Mahmoud left Surdashi and went to Piran in Penjwen. He sent the printing house back to Sulaimani and gave it to the municipality.
“Sulaimani Cultural Environment”
In the history of Sulaymaniyah, since the time of the Baban Empire, attention has been paid to learn to read and write which has made the cultural environment of Sulaymaniyah a suitable environment for the establishment of printing houses.
In later years, there were a number of active printing houses in Sulaimani. In addition to daily necessities in the market, such as propaganda and receipts, all the books, writings and newspapers of that time were printed in these printing houses.
– The municipal printing house, as mentioned earlier, after Sheikh Mahmoud left Surdash and moved to Penjwen, he sent the printing house back to Sulaimani and gave it to the municipal agency.
– Zhin Printing House. After the municipality did not renew his contract, on 10/16/1938, Piramird received the privilege of publishing Zhin newspaper and mortgaged his house.
– Kamrani Printing House was established in 1959 by Mohammed Aziz Qaftan. It was organized by Sheikh Latif Karadakhi. It was closed several times by the Baath regime.
Raperin Printing House was established in 1963 by lawyer Abdulaziz Talibi. It was a letterpress printing house in Kawa Street. Raperin newspaper was printed in Kurdish and Arabic languages.
– Zhin Printing House In 1968, it was the second printing house of this name established by Nawshrewan Mustafa. It continued until 1972.
– Kakey Falah Printing House was established in 1972 by Hama Amin Qadir “Kakey Falah”. It was first located in Goran Street and later moved to Piramird Street.
– Sulaimani University Printing House was established on 7/4/1975. Amin Baldar was the first director and Kamran Mukri was the supervisor.
– Sarkawtn Printing House was established on 27/11/1979 by Kamil Mohammed Aziz Qaftan in Hamdi Street.
– Nawras Printing House was established by Sheikh Nawras Ibrahim Hafid, brother of Sheikh Mahmoud Hafid in 1982 in Kak Ahmadi Sheikh Street.
