Entitled “Assyrian Royal Clothing Tradition,” this cultural performance was curated by Assyrian fashion designer Nahreen Odisho and presented under the artistic guidance of Prof. Dr. Efrem Yildiz, director of the Nineveh Academic Chair.

Assyrian Royal Clothing Tradition; A Living Heritage in Motion

During the Fourth International Congress of the Nineveh Academic Chair, held in October 2025 at the University of Salamanca, a truly unique event brought Assyrian history to life. Entitled “Assyrian Royal Clothing Tradition,” this cultural performance was curated by Assyrian fashion designer Nahreen Odisho and presented under the artistic guidance of Prof. Dr. Efrem Yildiz, director of the Nineveh Academic Chair.

The presentation began outdoors, in the heart of Salamanca’s historic center—between Palacio de Anaya and Plaza Mayor—where participants, dressed in Odisho’s meticulously designed royal garments, walked through the city’s stone arcades. The public stopped to admire and ask questions, engaging directly with the artists and scholars about the symbolism behind the costumes.

After the procession, the event continued in the university’s conference hall. There, Prof. Yildiz and Nahreen Odisho introduced each design in detail, explaining its historical references, iconography, and philosophical meaning. Each piece represented a figure or era of the Assyrian royal legacy—from kings such as Ashurnasirpal II and Sargon II to queens like Semiramis and Puabi of Sumer, whose dress, jewelry, and color palettes conveyed divine power, wisdom, and continuity of life.

Through these reconstructions, Odisho translated archaeological and textual evidence into contemporary forms, combining historical accuracy with artistic creativity. Golden crowns, winged motifs, and celestial symbols reminded the audience that the beauty of Assyria lies not only in its knowledge and empire but also in its art, elegance, and resilience.

As Prof. Yildiz noted, “The beauty of a nation is found in its faces, its clothes, and its heart. Nahreen’s work shows the living continuity of our civilization—not just its memory.”

This performance symbolized the synthesis of scholarship, heritage, and aesthetics that defines the mission of the Nineveh Academic Chair: to preserve and transmit the Assyrian legacy in every possible medium—language, research, education, and art.

Experience the full video report of Assyrian Royal Clothing Tradition, filmed during the Fourth International Congress of the Nineveh Academic Chair (October 2025, Salamanca, Spain).