Art for peace: Iraqi creatives shine during Arab Summit in Baghdad
Shafaq News/ A fine arts exhibition featuring works by over 100 Iraqi painters, sculptors, and visual artists opened in Baghdad alongside the Arab League Summit, organized by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities on Monday.
The event, attended by senior officials, artists, and intellectuals, featured caricatures by renowned Kurdish artist Jabbar Saber Qadir and a personal exhibition by visual artist Moatasem al-Kubaisi, along with a wide array of works representing modern and traditional artistic schools.
'This exhibition stands out for its breadth and diversity,' Qasim al-Sudani, Deputy Minister of Culture, told Shafaq News. Qasim Mohsen, Director General of the Department of Fine Arts, explained that the artists' styles 'reflect various artistic movements and modern schools.'
Praising the caricature gallery by Jabbar Saber Qadir, Mohsen noted that his work "embodies originality and creativity, with all his pieces centered on themes of war and peace."
Among the participating artists was Fatima al-Obaidi from Kirkuk, who voiced that her painting blended colors to reflect Iraq's rich, diverse heritage.
'The piece features light rising into the sky, symbolizing the Iraqi people's longing for peace,' she explained. From Baghdad, artist Raya Shanshal contributed a painting dedicated to the Arab Summit. 'It reflects the suffering Iraq has endured - terrorism, violence, displacement - but also the resilience of our people,' she said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Iraqi News
14 hours ago
- Iraqi News
Iraqi artist Yousif Abbas makes history with multifaceted role in a major US series
Baghdad ( – Iraqi musician and artist Yousif Abbas has revealed further details about his extensive and pivotal contributions to the major upcoming American series, Debriefing the President. Directed by Leslie Greif and starring Joel Kinnaman as CIA officer John Nixon and Waleed Zuaiter as Saddam Hussein, the series is based on Nixon's real-life interrogation of the former Iraqi leader. Abbas, the sole Iraqi participant in the production, composed the entire original soundtrack. He described this as one of his most challenging projects due to the social and political sensitivity of portraying Saddam Hussein. His goal was to create neutral music reflecting the unseen emotional aspects of the interrogation, skillfully blending Eastern instruments like the Ney, Joza, and Santoor with a Western orchestra. Beyond his groundbreaking musical score, Abbas played other crucial roles. He meticulously translated the script into authentic Iraqi dialect and coached actor Waleed Zuaiter in his portrayal of Saddam Hussein, utilizing 62 video clips to study body language. He also undertook linguistic proofreading of the script. Filmed entirely in Egypt by an American production company to capture an atmosphere similar to Baghdad, Debriefing the President is expected to make a significant impact. Yousif Abbas's multifaceted involvement marks a historic achievement for Iraqi talent on a major international stage.
Iraqi News
15 hours ago
- Iraqi News
Iraqi Musician Yousif Abbas Leaves a Musical Imprint on a Global Television Epic
In a landmark achievement for Iraqi art, renowned composer Yousif Abbas has captured international attention through his distinguished contribution to the high-profile American series Debriefing the President. The production, inspired by the memoirs of U.S. intelligence officer John Nixon, is helmed by global media titan Leslie Greif, co-founder of Warner Bros. Hailed as one of the most significant American television productions of the year, the series boasts a full original score composed by Abbas, an unprecedented feat marking the first time an Iraqi musician has been entrusted with scoring a Hollywood project of such caliber. Abbas's involvement, however, transcended the realm of composition. He was a constant presence on set, meticulously translating scripts into authentic Iraqi Arabic, coaching both American and international actors in the dialect, and even appearing in select scenes. His responsibilities further extended to supervising the dubbing and recording of dialogue in the local vernacular, as well as ensuring the cultural authenticity of all scenes set in Iraq. Notably, Yousif Abbas is no stranger to the world of dramatic composition; his previous work includes musical scores for acclaimed Iraqi series such as Watan and Al-Naqeeb, among others.
Shafaq News
a day ago
- Shafaq News
From soul to spectacle: How Iraqi music lost its voice
Shafaq News/ Once steeped in spiritual and emotional richness, Iraq's music now struggles against noise, nostalgia, and a shifting cultural identity. Despite its historical richness and deep emotional resonance, Iraqi music has steadily lost much of its identity, nuance, and poetic core—deteriorating under the weight of social transformation and political turbulence. Today, critics argue, Iraqi music is no longer guided by artistic intent or heritage but by superficial rhythms designed to 'make shoulders move,' as one folklorist described. Historical Foundations Iraq's musical heritage stretches back thousands of years, with significant development over time—particularly after the introduction of the oud and the addition of its fifth string, as well as refinements in rhythm and the evolution of the Iraqi maqam (musical mode). The 1920s marked a golden era, witnessing the emergence of prominent female vocalists. Later decades brought a new generation of influential composers such as Abbas Jamil, Nazem Naeem, Mohammed Nushi, Koukab Hamza, Jaafar Al-Khafaf, and Talib Al-Qaraghuli, whose melodies remain etched in the nation's collective memory. Sufi Roots and Identity The 20th century witnessed a global musical revolution. Western composers like Igor Stravinsky and Arnold Schoenberg broke classical conventions, while jazz, blues, rock, and electronic music reshaped cultural norms. Technological innovation accelerated music production and access—digitization and online platforms have made music more available than ever before. Iraq's music still bears a distinct cultural signature. 'Mesopotamian music has characteristics unlike any other musical form in the world,' Nasser Jamal, a member of the National Music Ensemble, indicated in an interview with Shafaq News. 'These rhythms are not found elsewhere. Iraq's musical legacy is essentially a Sufi one, originating in ancient temples and religious traditions of Mesopotamia.' The 1950s saw the widespread popularization of maqam-infused songs, with Jewish Iraqi composers like Saleh and Daoud Al-Kuwaiti playing foundational roles. Jamal emphasized that even the most iconic works of that era were anchored in maqam. The 1970s then brought a major transformation, particularly through the merging of rural music into the Baghdadi soundscape—infusing compositions with sorrow and longing. Figures like Talib Al-Qaraghuli, Mohammed Jawad Amouri, and Mohsen Farhan defined the tone of the decade. But in the 1980s, music became an instrument of political propaganda. 'Nearly all compositions were militarized to serve the regime, with only rare exceptions,' Jamal said. The 1990s carried a unique identity of their own. Jamal suggests that many of those songs deserve to be musically re-arranged today, as they mark a stylistic shift distinct from other eras. Cultural Reflection Music in Iraq has long served as a reflection of cultural, political, and social shifts. Yet even amid decades of change, its signature melancholy tones have remained a defining feature. 'The sorrowful melodies are among the most prominent characteristics of Iraqi music,' composer Mohammed Al-Khazaali told Shafaq News, adding that they reflect the emotional turbulence of Iraqi society. Al-Khazaali notes that the music of the 1970s represents a high point. 'That era produced beautiful voices, graceful compositions, and poetic lyrics. Iraqi songs ranked second in the Arab world after Egypt in terms of influence and reach,' he stated. Then, Iraqi music veered away from these foundations, degenerating into indecent lyrics and erratic compositions. This decline is attributed to Iraq's volatile environment and harsh socio-political changes, according to Al-Khazaali. However, he sees hope in initiatives like the Iraqi Symphony Orchestra and the Dajla Birds Ensemble led by Maestro Alaa Majid, who are reviving the country's musical heritage through live performances. He also credits the Musicians' Syndicate and the Iraqi Musicians' Association for promoting quality compositions that still appeal to refined tastes. From Song to Spectacle Heritage and folklore critic Ali Shibib sees today's music as lacking in artistic depth. 'Contemporary Iraqi songs rely heavily on technology,' he told our agency. 'But instead of using it to enhance musical integrity, it's mostly used to create shoulder-shaking beats—without structure or sophistication.' Shibib believes that lyrics are now shaped more by consumer trends than cultural consciousness. 'Modern remixes often distort the original compositions. Attempts to modernize old songs are usually unstudied and superficial.' Rise of the Noise Maestro Ahmad Abdul-Jabbar, artistic director at the School of Music and Ballet, laments what he calls the rise of 'noise.' 'Iraqi music used to be rooted in authenticity and heritage. Today, it's buried under chaotic sounds that stray from its core principles.' Speaking with our agency, he acknowledges that 1990s music differed from that of the 1970s—especially in tempo—but still preserved its beauty and soul. 'Now, Iraqi music has become a hybrid of noise and shallow melody,' he said. 'It lacks artistic depth and fails to represent the country's civilization and cultural heritage.' Despite this, Abdul-Jabbar believes the foundational elements of Iraqi music are resilient. 'It remains a distinctive form—immune, to some extent, to the randomness flooding the music market today.'
