Iraq
The cradle of civilization, Iraq is a land where ancient history and contemporary narratives intertwine, with a powerful diaspora that has evolved its identity leaving their own mark on places they've settled, and spreading the true richness of their heritage far and wide. From the empires of Mesopotamia to the vibrant cultural life of today, Iraqi culture has been shaped by its deep-rooted heritage and enduring spirit. This edition explores the diverse layers of this culture wherever it may be, delving into its religious life and culinary traditions, tracing its historical conflicts, and examining the profound influence of its legal and artistic legacy. It is a journey through a place and identity where powerful poems give voice to exile and heritage, where art and photography capture a unique visual language, and where ancient myths and contemporary voices offer a window into a culture that continues to evolve.
Hammurabi: King of the Four Corners of the World & the Architect of Law & Empire
By Jade George
Between the Seen and the Felt: Nedim Kufi’s Visual Language
By Nour Daher
Badr Shākir Al-Sayyāb’s Poetry: a Fusion of Mesopotamian Heritage & Contemporary Exile
By Hamzah Taleb
They Say When You Meet Somebody That Looks Just Like You, You Die
By Ahmad Makia
Tsawwar x Iraq Photo Archive
“The photo shows me, Idris Jassim Al-Oboudi (right), with my beloved brother and lifelong friend, Ali Abass Al-Baghdadi. A selected number of first-generation students at The Music and Ballet School in Baghdad (which was established in 1968) were invited by the school administration to visit and tour northern Iraq for a multiple-day field trip for team building, bonding, etc. The first full-length Iraqi ballet, ‘The Magical Wings,’ was performed by the school in 1974. The first full-length Iraqi political ballet was performed in 1977 and was titled ‘The Rebirth and Marchا.’ Ali and I had major roles in these two ballets.”
— Courtesy of Idris Jassim Al-Oboudi
Masgouf: The Grilling Ritual of the Tigris Fish
By Jade George
Art Endures Through Metaphor: Q&A With Iraqi Artist Ibrahim Rashid
By Nour Daher
Founder of Modern Iraqi Art
Jewad Selim
Jewad Selim was an Iraqi painter and sculptor who was considered one of the founders of modern art in Iraq. Born in Ankara during the Ottoman Empire in 1919, he became an influential figure especially because of his central role in founding the Baghdad Modern Art Group alongside Shakir Hassan Al Said and Mohammed Ghani Hikmat.
Tsawwar... Sajad Harsh
The city of Kufa is one of the most important cities in Iraq due to its history and ancient roots. It was the capital of Muslims more than 1500 years ago, characterized by the presence of palm trees due to the flow of water in the Kufa River – which originates from the Euphrates. It is also characterized by heritage sites and remains an agricultural area to this day.
Browse Books
Iraqi Voices to Read: A List by Maktaba’s Sundus Abdul Hadi
Books on Iraq Iran War: Recommended by Amir Moosavi
Remembering Waddah Faris
With a keen eye for emerging talent and a deep understanding of the region’s artistic evolution, Waddah Faris played a key role in shaping the visibility of Iraqi and Arab artists on the global stage. His work bridges tradition and modernity, preserving cultural narratives while fostering new creative expressions.
Tsawwar... Waddah Faris
"During the 1970's my father, Waddah Faris, traveled to Iraq numerous times and for several projects. Sometimes he went there to meet artists to bring back to his Contact Gallery in Beirut – and later on to his Galerie Faris in Paris. He was also in charge of photographing the museum collections in Iraq during that decade. On those travels, he often went with his friend, Iraqi artist Dia al-Azzawi, who was an active member of the cultural life in Iraq…"
Listen, Read, Watch: Iraq
Recommended by the afikra community
Your Quintessential Iraqi Mixtape by Shakomakonet
afikra Quartertones Mixtape
I Am the Hunter, I Am the Prey
Sadik Kwaish Alfraji is an Iraqi-born artist known for his multidisciplinary work in painting, drawing, video, and animation. Exhibited internationally, he is a leading contemporary Arab artist, capturing the emotional and psychological weight of longing for home. His art explores exile, memory, loss, and the human condition, drawing from personal displacement and collective Iraqi experiences. Recognized for his black-and-white imagery and introspective narratives, he delves into existential themes.
I Am the Hunter, I Am the Prey, 2017
