This tribute memorialises Professor Amir Hassanpour (1943-2017) a pioneer of Kurdish sociolinguistics, an influential advocate of Kurdish studies, a public intellectual, and a visionary humanist. As a scholar, his contributions are wide and varied and have had a significant impact, broadening our knowledge of the Kurdish history, nationalism, language, media, gender, social structures and movements. He will be remembered for raising and transforming the consciousness of the academic community regarding the rightful place of the Kurdish language and studies. As a revolutionary, Hassanpour played a key role in studying, organising, and leading social movements. He was truly an inspiration to many young researchers and political activists, a heroic man with a lifelong commitment to justice and a new vision of communism.