Kurdistan was awarded first place for Best Fashion at the annual Love Your Neighbor cultural festival held on October 18, 2026, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

The daylong multicultural event brought together diverse international communities, religious groups, and cultural organizations to showcase traditional food, attire, and heritage in an effort to foster cross-cultural understanding and unity.

Representing Kurdistan for the third consecutive year, the Kurdistani Diaspora Center of Nashville (KDC) partnered with the Tennessee Kurdish Community Council to host an interactive cultural display. Local volunteers and families prepared traditional dishes, displayed heritage artifacts, and presented authentic Kurdish clothing.

Along with winning top honors in the fashion category for traditional Kurdish attire, the KDC was presented with an official Certificate of Appreciation for its participation.

“Everyone contributed in different ways, including preparing traditional Kurdish food, bringing cultural items and clothing, and helping with the setup,” said KDC Vice President Ipek Ismael in an interview with Kurdistan Chronicle. “It was great to see everyone come together to represent Kurdistan.”

Ismael highlighted that participating in regional events aligns with the KDC’s broader organizational mission to preserve cultural identity among younger generations living abroad. “We want our children to know their history, stay connected to their roots, and take pride in who they are,” Ismael added.