Kurdistan in America
The Kurdistan in America podcast is the official voice of the Kurdistan Regional Government Representation in the United States, headquartered in Washington, DC. Hosted by Delovan Barwari, the show explores the enduring ties between Kurdistan and the United States.
Now in its fifth season, this English-language podcast focuses on U.S. foreign policy and the Kurdistan Region, covering key topics such as security, politics, humanitarian affairs, economic development, culture, and the arts.
We’re proud to share that Kurdistan in America was ranked the #1 Kurdish podcast of 2025 by Feedspot and was previously listed among the 20 Best Government Relations Podcasts of 2021 by Welp Magazine.
Learn more at us.gov.krd
Kurdistan in America
S3 Episode 8 - Interview with Ms. Xeyal Qertel, President and Founder of the New York Kurdish Cultural Center
The Kurdistan in America podcast is honored to have Ms. Xeyal Qertel as its guest in the eighth episode of Season Three.
Ms. Qertel is the President and Founder of the New York Kurdish Cultural Center. She founded the organization in 2017 to provide a safe space for diaspora Kurds in New York to reclaim and celebrate their cinema, poetry, literature, and music—and to introduce non-Kurds to Kurdish culture and art. She directs the annual New York Kurdish Film and Cultural Festival and is also an educator and human rights activist with a special interest in women's rights.
The discussion is about her family's background, her experience migrating to the US, the upcoming Kurdish film festival in New York, which is scheduled for October, and the Kurdish language courses and the book club her organization offers.