Cultural life
Mosul and its region are home to diverse populations, including Arab communities, Assyrians, Armenians, Turkmens, Kurds, Yezidis, Shabaks, Sabean Mandaeans and others. This diversity is at the heart of the city’s identity—and its cultural life.
To support the recovery of Mosul’s vibrant cultural institutions and creative industries, UNESCO and its partners launched a comprehensive plan focusing on cinema, music, literature and the fine arts.
The European Union lends its support to the Institute of Fine Arts of Mosul
With the support of the European Union, and in partnership with the City Theatre of Ghent, UNESCO established a FilmLab at the Institute of Fine Arts of Mosul. Twenty students received training and hands-on experience in each of the different roles involved in film production—directing, screenwriting, editing, acting, set and costume design, audio and lighting—while producing nine short films.
In June 2021, a creative space opened at “The Station” in Mosul. It serves as a hub where young people working in the cultural and creative industries can meet, learn and exchange ideas. The space also hosts events such as concerts, workshops, and exhibitions.
In 2019 and 2020, UNESCO's Heritage Emergency Fund financed a project implemented by the NGO Action for Hope, "Wassla (Connection) to Revive cultural life in the city of Mosul". This project resulted in a documentary film, "Long Live the Music", and music-related activities.
To support the revival of traditional music in Mosul, UNESCO again partnered with the NGO Action for Hope as part of the “Listening to Iraq” programme. Twenty-four Moslawi musicians took part in training and formed four ensembles, which received grants to tour Iraq. The Mosul Traditional Music Festival, the first of its kind since the liberation of Mosul in 2017, took place in March 2022. The third edition of the festival is set to take place in April 2025.
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