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Culture rises from the ashes in Mosul

Hope branches out as the Mosul Book Forum, with the support of UNESCO and 鈥淟a Guilde europ茅enne du Raid鈥, organized its second cultural festival in Mosul, Iraq, entitled 鈥淐ulture from Ashes鈥 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. 鈥淭his activity has achieved a milestone in the process of reviving the spirit of Mosul. I鈥檓 very happy that we were able to get together and take part in this event.鈥 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鈥檚 spirit through music.
鈥淭he event was amazing!鈥 Said Fahad Mansoor, founder and manager of the Book Forum. 鈥淚 was very impressed with the outcome. It鈥檚 a huge step towards developing and enhancing the cultural life in Mosul鈥.
The festival is one of many cultural events that will take place in Mosul as part of UNESCO鈥檚 flagship initiative 鈥淩evive the Spirit of Mosul鈥, 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,鈥 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.
鈥淭hrough 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,鈥 added Paolo Fontani, UNESCO Representative in Iraq.
