Latest news with #AhmedFakakAl-Badrani
Iraqi News
7 days ago
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Baghdad will be named the Capital of Culture for the Islamic World 2026 shortly by the Minister of Culture
Baghdad - INA Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities Ahmed Fakak Al-Badrani confirmed today, Thursday, that Baghdad will soon be announced as the Capital of Culture of the Islamic World for 2026. He emphasized the need for everyone to cooperate in making Baghdad a clean city intellectually, mentally, emotionally, and environmentally. The Prime Minister's representative, Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities Ahmed Fakak Al-Badrani, said in a speech during the Baghdad Arab Tourism Capital conference, attended by an Iraqi News Agency (INA) correspondent: "Tourism is not a project of a body or a ministry. Rather, tourism begins with the individual, then the institution, society, and the state. The private sector partners with the public sector, and culture and antiquities intertwine, creating significant attractions." He added, "These elements open their arms to those coming from every deep valley, because this blessed land contains springs of civilization whose roots history has planted deep within the earth, so that city upon city and civilization upon civilization arose. The deeper we go into the earth, the more we find Iraqi civilizations, the civilizations of Mesopotamia , whose roots are unknown in antiquity. Some say they are only a few thousand years old, but rather they are deep within this land." He pointed out, "Perhaps some might think that because I am the Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities, because I am an Iraqi, more glorious than Iraqi civilizations, these words are the words of Westerners who have explored, researched, and studied, including the British, Italians, Germans, French, Americans, and Spanish, who wrote and loved this, and who believe that eternity lies in this land because the thought there is authentic, and because the roots of thought there are deep-rooted." Al-Badrani explained that, 'Since the government of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani began its program, which focused most of its attention on services, we sought to present the Ministry of Culture with the ancient and authentic culture of Iraq. We removed the dust of the past few years, which hindered cultural activities due to the calamities and illnesses that Iraq experienced. We actually succeeded in getting culture back on its feet strongly.' He pointed out that, 'In the field of tourism, we saw that Baghdad had to recover day after day, so we promoted tourism activities, which had been paralyzed for more than four decades since the Iran-Iraq war and the subsequent siege, followed by the occupation, and the subsequent sectarian strife that followed the occupation, and then the occupation of large parts of Iraq by terrorist organizations.'
Shafaq News
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Shafaq News
Iraqi folklore troupe celebrates heritage as Arab leaders gather in Baghdad
Shafaq News/ Baghdad's cultural heartbeat echoed on Thursday as the Iraqi Folklore Troupe delivered a vibrant performance at Al-Mansour Theater, coinciding symbolically with the Arab League Summit taking place in the capital. The event, held as part of the "Baghdad: Arab Capital of Tourism 2025" initiative, blended traditional music, folkloric dance, and heritage costumes in a celebration of Iraq's rich cultural identity. It drew a prominent audience including Iraq's Minister of Culture Ahmed Fakak Al-Badrani, former Kuwaiti Information Minister Sami Al-Dulaimi, and several Arab ambassadors and cultural figures. Led by maestro Fouad Thanoon, the troupe showcased scenes inspired by everyday life in Baghdad, using popular songs and choreographed pieces that highlighted Iraq's deep-rooted artistic traditions. The performance also featured a traditional Iraqi fashion show, underscoring the diversity of the country's cultural expressions. Speaking to Shafaq News, Thanoon said the Arab guests responded with enthusiasm despite a tight one-month rehearsal window. 'The show reflected Iraq's beauty and heritage with high professionalism, thanks to the dedication of dancers and musicians from across Iraqi communities,' he noted. Artist and presenter Maimon Al-Khalidi expressed pride in hosting the event, 'Baghdad has always been a beacon of civilization for the Arab world, and tonight we sent a message that this city is still alive with beauty and culture.' Reham Karim, a performer in the troupe, emphasized that the event aimed to capitalize on the presence of Arab dignitaries to 'present a refined image of Iraqi art as a continuation of our deeply rooted national identity.' Audience member Rayahin Al-Jalabi described the show as emotionally stirring: 'I was moved to tears by the powerful themes and emotions. Iraq is rising again—we are witnessing a new era of revival and openness.' Historian and cultural commentator Dr. Ali Al-Nashmi concluded the night by reflecting on Iraq's artistic legacy. 'Iraq was among the first Arab countries to establish a national folklore troupe in the 1960s,' he said. 'What we saw tonight is a continuation of that legacy, revived by a new generation representing all sects and communities.'
Iraqi News
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Culture Minister Delivers Invitation to Lebanese President to Participate in Arab Summit
Baghdad-INA Minister of Culture Ahmed Fakak Al-Badrani delivered an invitation to Lebanese President Joseph Khalil Aoun to participate in the Arab Summit on Friday. In a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), Al-Badrani said, "We met this morning with Lebanese President Joseph Khalil Aoun at the Presidential Palace in Baabda." He added, "The Lebanese President received an invitation to participate in the Arab Summit scheduled for May 17 in Baghdad."
Iraqi News
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Iraqi News
Iraq launches massive 5 Billion Dinar grant to boost cinema
Baghdad ( – In a major boost for the nation's film industry, Iraq's Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities, Ahmed Fakak Al-Badrani, announced the launch of a significant grant initiated by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani. The grant, totaling 5.17 billion Iraqi dinars (approx. $4 million USD), aims to support and revitalize Iraqi cinema through the 'Iraqi Cinema Initiative'. The announcement came during a press conference on Monday, April 21st, at VOX Cinemas in Dijlah Village, attended by cultural advisors, officials like Dr. Arif Al-Saadi and Dr. Jabbar Joudi, and prominent artists. Minister Al-Badrani praised the Prime Minister's commitment to Iraqi culture and cinema. Following a nine-month selection process involving 376 submissions from across Iraq, 86 films were chosen for the grant's shortlist, spanning narrative features, documentaries, shorts, and post-production projects. Highlighting the initiative's ambition, several feature films, including 'The Possessed' (Al-Mamsous) by Ali Shmeil and 'The President's Cake' (Ka'akat Al-Ra'ees), were announced as Iraq's official representation at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. Officials stated the grant aims to foster new filmmaking talent throughout Iraq and support projects that document Iraqi reality. This substantial investment signals a hopeful new chapter for Iraqi cinema on both national and international stages.
Iraqi News
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Iraqi News
Iraqi, Qatari Ministers of Culture attend the opening of the first Iraqi realism art exhibition
INA – BAGHDAD As part of the Qatari-Iraqi Cultural Week, Minister of Culture Ahmed Fakak Al-Badrani and his Qatari counterpart, Abdulrahman bin Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani, attended the First Iraqi Realism Exhibition at the General Arts Department Hall on Tuesday. "The exhibition included insights into Iraqi reality and received significant artistic attention from both the artistic elite and the political elite, as evidenced by the Qatari delegation, headed by the Qatari Minister of Culture and the accompanying delegation, with the paintings participating in this exhibition," said the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities Qasim Taher Al-Sudani, on the sidelines of the exhibition, to the Iraqi News Agency - INA. He added, "Iraqi artists keep pace with changes in the visual arts and contribute to producing artworks that dazzle audiences and those interested in the arts. They are known, both Arab and international, for their ability to incorporate insights from Iraqi reality into their artwork." In turn, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Fadhel Al-Badrani, told INA, "The first realistic exhibition, hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities in this large hall affiliated with the Department of Public Arts, featured the participation of an elite group of visual artists. Its paintings were carefully selected to represent various artistic schools, but they all address the Iraqi story and national narrative from its various aspects." He continued, "The paintings in the exhibition carried deep symbolism, embodying the features of the Iraqi land and the Iraqi people, both men and women. Even the horses on display were symbols of heroism, chivalry, and defiance in the face of adversity." He noted that "the exhibition will continue for several days, and we hope it will achieve its mission of introducing visitors to the authenticity of Iraqi art, and to Baghdad and Mesopotamia as a source of authentic visual art in the region." Meanwhile, Khalif Mahmoud, the head of the Nineveh Governorate branch of the Fine Artists Association, told INA, "Realism in art is a traditional framework in which many artists excel. It stems from the artist's endeavor to employ reality and blend it with imagination to produce realistic works that can be included within the framework of contemporary visual art endeavors." He added, "There are those who excel in this field by conveying the image and adding to it in a way that preserves its spirit, blending it with an imagination that does not stray far from reality."
