Goran 1904-1962

Goran, was born 1904 or 1905 in Halabja in South Kurdistan, into a family with royal descent. At the beginning of 1920's, Goran studied at the "Scientific School" in Kirkuk, but after the murder of his elder brother, he left his studies to take care of the family. Between 1923-37, he worked in nursery schools in Halabja and Hawraman. During the second world war he worked for a kurdish radiostation in Jaffa (Palestine), which belonged to the allied side, targeting the fascist nations. Goran was an active politician and fought for democracy and peace. Under the Iraqi monarchy, many dissident Kurds and communists were arrested. Goran was arrested in november 1951 and released 1952. Untill 1954, he was editor for the jounal JIN (Life). He was again arrested in late 1954, recieving one years sentence followed by another year of house arrest in the city of Badra. Goran was released but arrested again few months later. This time he stayed in prison untill august 1958, ie a month after Iraq transformed into a republic. On his release, Goran was recieved as a hero by the people and officials. He was chosen as a member for a delegation to visit Soviet Union, China and North Korea. In early 1959, he gained the position as editor in chief for the journal Shafaq (dawn, later changing name to Bayan). From autumn 1960, he was a teacher in Kurdish language and literature at the University of Bagdad. In early 1962, he was diagnosed with cancer and went to Moscow for treatment but died three months later in nevember 1962, after have had returned home to Kurdistan. Goran published his poems, articles and translations in majority of the Kurdish journals and newspapers between early 1930's and until his death. During his lifetime, two collections of his poetry were published, Paradise & Memory and Tears & Art in 1950. His other works were later published by his children.