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Joss Blau: Pioneer of Kurdish Studies in Europe Passes Away After a Life Full of Academic and Humanitarian Struggle
Dear colleague and beloved friend, Joss Blau, passed away on the evening of Thursday, October 24, at her home in Paris, at the age of 92. She had been hospitalized since early September but chose to spend her final days surrounded by her loved ones, departing peacefully.
Joss Blau is considered the dean of Kurdish studies in Europe and an honorary professor of the Kurdish language and civilization at the National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations (INALCO). For decades, she has been a central figure in the activities of the Kurdish Institute, where she served as the secretary and director of programs, contributing through her research and numerous publications to enhancing the understanding of the Kurdish issue and the importance of Kurdish culture.
Joss was born on March 18, 1932, in Cairo, into a Jewish family of Polish descent. She received her education in British schools and later joined the anti-colonial movement led by Henri Curiel in her youth. After being arrested and deported to France, she began her academic career, later becoming a pioneer in Kurdish studies.
Her thesis, "The Kurdish Question: A Sociological and Historical Study," had a significant impact and was banned in Turkey, which she regarded as a great honor. Following her return to France, she established the chair for the Kurdish language and civilization and worked tirelessly to strengthen academic ties with Kurdish researchers around the world.
Joss Blau's establishment of the Kurdish Institute in 1983 reflects her profound dedication and interest in training a generation of researchers specializing in Kurdish issues. Despite the health challenges she faced in recent years, she continued to visit the institute daily, determined to provide support and assistance to all.
The memory of Joss Blau lives on in the hearts of all who knew her and worked with her, and her scientific and activist legacy will remain a source of inspiration for future generations.
**Her family and colleagues extend their deepest condolences in this great loss, emphasizing the importance of commemorating her memory in all the fields she represented.**
