Culture from Ashes

Culture from Ashes is the second cultural event that was organized by Mosul Book Forum with the support of UNESCO and La Guilde. The festival aimed at emphasizing the importance of the revival of cultural life in the city by bringing artists together to showcase Iraqi films.

The event included cinematic shows for Iraqi films followed by a dialogue session on the reality of cinema in Mosul and the required tools to develop and provide content that is equivalent to the cultural and historical complexity of Mosul city.

A key highlight of the festival was the performance of a Moslawi band that expressed the spirit of the city with their music.

“The event was amazing! I was very impressed with the outcome. It’s a huge step towards developing and enhancing the cultural situation in Mosul”. Said Fahad Mansoor, founder and manager of the Book Forum.

Bayat, a film producer, writer and director added, “This activity has achieved a milestone in the process of reviving the spirit of Mosul. I’m very happy that we were able to get together and take part in this event”.

The festival is one of many cultural events planned to take place in the city and is part of the UNESCO’s #RevivetheSpiritofMosul initiative, which aims at revitalizing cultural life in Mosul, bringing art, culture and heritage to contribute to the renewal of the city.

“UNESCO is committed to the rehabilitation of heritage, and to the revitalization of cultural and educational life. We are sure that Iraq will return stronger and more beautiful than before,” added Paolo Fontani, UNESCO Representative in Iraq.

Mosul is one of the oldest cities in the world. It is one of the largest cities in Iraq, rich in history, heritage, and culture. In Arabic, the name Mosul means "the one that connects,” this well describes the history of the city. For millennia, Mosul was a strategic crossing point on the Tigris River, connecting north to south, east to west.

UNESCO is working closely with the Iraqi government to protect cultural heritage and preserve the identity of the Iraqi people.