ERBIL — A memorial service for Joyce Blau, a trailblazer in Kurdish studies, is set to take place on Saturday evening at Paris’ 10th arrondissement municipality to honor her lifelong contributions to the Kurdish language, culture, and academia.  

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Representative to France Ali Dolamari, alongside French and Kurdish officials and members of the Kurdish diaspora, are expected to attend the ceremony.  

Blau dedicated her career to advancing Kurdish studies through her work at the Kurdish Institute in Paris, significantly shaping the academic understanding of Kurdish culture in Europe. In 2023, the KRG honored her legacy by naming a library at Erbil Citadel after her—a project she inaugurated before her passing.  

As a prominent French academic, Blau’s efforts bridged cultural understanding between Kurdistan and France, fostering stronger academic and cultural ties. Her contributions have left an indelible mark on Kurdish cultural preservation and academic research, solidifying her place as a revered figure in both Kurdish and Western scholarly circles.