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Hope branches out as the Mosul Book Forum, with the support of UNESCO and “La Guilde européenne du Raid”, organized its second cultural festival in Mosul, Iraq, entitled “Culture from Ashes” at the end of 2019.

Film producer, writer and director, Bayat was thrilled to see cinema come back to the streets of Mosul during the festival. “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.” Held in Mosul, a city that has seen its culture destroyed during three devastating years of conflict, the festival brought together a community of artists to showcase Iraqi films highlighting the power of culture to reconcile people and heal a shattered society. Taking this a step further, the film projections were followed by an exchange on the state of cinema in Mosul and the required tools to develop and provide content that is equivalent to the cultural and historical complexity of the city.

The festival also featured a concert by a Moslawi band that echoed the cultural diversity of the city through it music. The power of music and its impact on the social fabric of society was tangible in an audience looking to reconnect with its city’s spirit through music.

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

The festival is one of many cultural events that will take place in Mosul as part of UNESCO’s flagship initiative “Revive the Spirit of Mosul”, which aims at revitalizing cultural life in Mosul, bringing art, culture and heritage to contribute to the renewal of the city.

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.

“Through its initiative Revive the Spirit of Mosul, launched in 2018, UNESCO is working closely with the Iraqi government to protect cultural heritage and preserve the identity of the Iraqi people,” added Paolo Fontani, UNESCO Representative in Iraq.