Focus on re-emergence of cultural events

In spite of being cut off from the world in many ways by more than 10 years of international sanctions, Iraq persevered in taking pride in its cultural institutions, comprising regional actors, actresses and singers, a world-class symphony orchestra and cultural festivals. More than six months after US-led Coalition forces rolled into the capital, Baghdad, cultural events are just starting to emerge from the post-war confusion. Meanwhile, most city residents continue to worry about security and gunshots in the streets, sharply rising fuel prices, and continuing problems with electricity, affected by frequent cuts. But the Baghdad Symphony Orchestra recently gave a performance of classical music in Washington DC, and the Baghdad's National Theatre is billing a wide range of plays. FOLK MUSIC "We have always been a cultural centre. We will remain one, despite our difficulties," Hussain al-Aadhamy, a singing virtuoso in demand on the European circuit, told IRIN in Baghdad. He recently completed a research paper for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation about his passion in Iraq - folk music in Mesopotamia. Al-Aadhamy has lectured at Harvard and has been invited to sing at concerts in Amsterdam and Brussels in January. But his passion is Iraqi folk songs. A 10-member folk music band starts playing a traditional melody, with the josah, a cello-sounding instrument made of wood and a coconut shell, taking centre stage. Al-Aadhamy stands in front of the front row of seats to give instructions to a young protégé. The boy sings sweetly, accompanied by traditional stringed instruments. Several of the musicians encourage the boy, breaking into song an octave below his high tenor voice. "This is a mixture of bedouin tribal tunes and modern melodies," Al-Aadhamy explained. "The gifts other countries have given us are tremendous, but we have made them ours." Outside in the lobby, Al-Aadhamy’s colleague, Hamed al-Obeidi, has an office to write the traditional music to be performed by the band. Iraqis now were being exposed to foreign Arab music on satellite TV channels, Al-Obeidi said, but it was also important to remember the music typical of Iraq. "All of the musicians have been practising as normal," Al-Obeidi said. "Of course, the more insecurity there is, the harder it is for the musicians to do their work." The small concert hall in Adhamiya was not looted during the war, the men say. But just to be on the safe side, a guard with an automatic weapon stands at the front door, and everyone is frisked when they come in. DRAMA At the National Theatre on the other side of town, guards also do a thorough check at the door, confiscating electronic equipment because of a potential terrorist threat. Actress Amira Juwad, the star of a traditional play about immortality, is taking a break between performances. Secret police used to watch her carefully, but now she is worried that religious leaders may also try to interfere in her work. A shoulder peeking through the strips of cloth of her dress sleeve might cause them to question her, Amira said, pulling a shawl over her arms for emphasis. "Life was much more restricted under the former regime," Amira told IRIN. Play choices were screened by government authorities, for example, she said. "I believe we should continue making progress now. Artists should be able to reflect life, so we hope in the future to witness great change." However, religious leaders were being consulted about the plays, said Ayad Salah, Amira's co-star. "They said they had no objection, but some religious extremists may challenge us," Ayad told IRIN. Outside the theatre, a man with a teenaged daughter and a young son said he was excited but also nervous about going to the theatre after the war. "I believe even more cultural things will happen now," Nasir Jasim, aged 50, told IRIN. "I understand people who are conservative about these things, but we have taken a democratic path, so we can like theatre and plays without [encountering] problems." "In Iraq, there is an old saying: 'Give me some bread and theatre, and I will give you an educated people'," Nasir said. "My daughter has read about this play, so now she wants to see the performance. I think it’s good for us."