Baghdad in the eye of artistic rebirth
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After years of conflict and wars, Baghdad is witnessing a cultural revival of artistic taste.
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Baghdad's art center The Gallery (AFP)
Although Iraq's capital is usually making headlines for war and violence, recently it has been experiencing an artistic rebirth.
Baghdad's art center, The Gallery, opened less than a month ago, and most opening nights are crowded. Iraqis are reconnecting with a golden era in which Baghdad was one of the most important cultural capitals of the Arab world.
The Gallery's Director Noor al-Din said, "People need art, they want to develop their artistic taste -- it's an escape route."
An Iraqi-Canadian Riyadh Ghenea tells the tale of leaving his mother behind, and upon returning, says he "found neither my mother nor the country that I had left behind."
Ghenea exhibited lively abstract pieces of art in tribute to his mother.
Sun after the rain
A 25-year-old pharmacist, Amir, describes his whole childhood as painted in conflict.
Iraq has been engulfed with sectarianism since the US-led invasion of the country. The insurgence of ISIS added fuel to the fire in 2014.
He told AFP that "art allows us to alleviate the stress of our daily lives."
In November, thousands gathered in Tigris for the eighth edition of a book festival.
30,000 books were distributed by the "I am an Iraqi, I read" event.
Local folk music was played by a vocalist using traditional instruments, and teenagers, couples, and older folks enjoyed the event alike.
Cultural rebirth
The cultural rebirth of the city is made through a series of events, including individual efforts.
The Culture Ministry organized an international theater festival. Ali Abbas, the host venue said the audience "overflowed from the hall."
Performers from Egypt, Tunisia, Germany, gave complimentary performances, and Iraqis were also given the opportunity to be in the spotlight.
Hanno Friedrich, a German actor who performed at the festival, said he was told not to go to Iraq because it was dangerous, however, he describes a whole different experience.
"People climbed on stage and hugged us. They told us they had never seen anything like that," he said.
"We had goosebumps, and tears in our eyes."
