Baghdad Inaugurated 2013 Arab Capital of Culture

Baghdad has been inaugurated as the 2013 Arab Capital of Culture, the latest in a series of steps which officials hope will put Iraq back on the map after decades of conflict. The ceremony marking the event was held under a huge marquee in the Iraqi capital's Zawraa Park, and featured a performance by renowned Iraqi musician Naseer Shamma.

Published

12 months ago

Categories

World, Arts & Society

Topics

Middle East & North Africa, Arts & Culture

People

Naseer Shamma

Places

Iraq, Baghdad

Transcript

SHOTLIST: BAGHDAD, MAR 23, 2013, SOURCE: AFPTV IMAGES: (02:18) -VAR of festival dancers in Baghdad's Zawraa Park SOUNDBITE 1 Nuri al-Maliki (man), Iraq Prime Minister (Arabic, 12 sec): "Baghdad, which was a source of knowledge for the entire world, is rising again today thanks to the efforts of Iraqis and their Arab brothers." -VAR of crowd in Baghdad's Zawraa Park SOUNDBITE 2 Nuri al-Maliki (man), Iraq Prime Minister, (Arabic, 19 sec): "We have been very careful to make this cultural event successful and we are so happy to hold it in Baghdad, the capital of Arab culture. This is all thanks to our love of science, scientists and providing the necessary support for culture." - a performance by Iraqi musician Naseer Shamma /// ------------ AFP TEXT STORY: Iraq-culture-Arab-capital Baghdad inaugurated as Arab Capital of Culture BAGHDAD, March 23, 2013 (AFP) - Baghdad was inaugurated as the 2013 Arab Capital of Culture on Saturday, the latest in a series of steps which officials hope will put Iraq back on the map after decades of conflict. The ceremony marking the event was held under a massive tent in the Iraqi capital's Zawraa Park, and featured a choir singing songs and a performance by renowned Iraqi musician Naseer Shamma, as well as speeches by senior Iraqi politicians and Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi. The events surrounding the Arab Capital of Culture will include music and dance performances, photography exhibitions, as well as folk arts and crafts shows. "Baghdad, which was a source of knowledge for the entire world, is rising again today thanks to the efforts of Iraqis and their Arab brothers," Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said in a speech. It is the latest in a series of efforts by Iraq to raise its global profile after three decades of war and sanctions which led to its international isolation, economically as well as culturally. The city hosted the Arab League summit in 2012, and later that year was the site of talks between global powers and Iran on the Islamic Republic's controversial nuclear programme. It is also scheduled to host football's Gulf Cup in 2015. Iraq's efforts have not gone off without a hitch, however. It had been scheduled to host the Gulf Cup this year but it was delayed, and ambitious plans for the Shiite shrine city of Najaf to take over as the 2012 Islamic Capital of Culture were shelved as several projects failed to get off the ground or were postponed indefinitely amid accusations of corruption. END