The Babylon Festival of Culture showcased a diverse range of artistic and literary activities, drawing attention to Iraq’s contemporary cultural scene. The event took place within the historical setting of Babylon, where book exhibitions and art galleries created a platform for local and international talent. Organizers included both Arab and foreign publishing houses. Visual artists from Iraq and abroad contributed with paintings that reflected themes rooted in Babylonian identity.
The festival opened with a book and art exhibition, combining literature with visual expression. Attendees observed contributions from various publishing entities presenting new literary titles, including translated novels and children’s literature. This event emphasized the importance of promoting reading habits across Iraqi communities.
Performance arts also featured prominently. Actor Thaer Jabbar presented an unscripted interactive play. The performance engaged directly with the audience, using dialogue and movement to reflect social themes. Jabbar described this format as “street theater,” a model prevalent in Europe but less common in Iraq. He emphasized the absence of institutional support for such performances, noting that artists often self-fund these initiatives. According to Jabbar, the play titled Screaming Covers symbolized how book covers convey deep historical messages.
Theater presentations were followed by a literary panel, where Iraqi author Sara Talib Suhail introduced her latest publication, Violence and the Lost Identity. Suhail explained that the work represents a ten-year research effort analyzing various forms of violence, particularly those affecting the self. She noted that psychological and self-directed violence often receive less attention in public discourse compared to physical violence.
The book includes social analyses and applied examples. Academic Khalid Al-Shammari of the University of Jordan endorsed the book as suitable for educational curricula, particularly in colleges of education.
Suhail also discussed Iraq’s cultural heritage, emphasizing Babylon’s role in ancient civilization. She referred to Iraq as “the land of the four directions” and highlighted its leadership in past world civilizations. According to Suhail, Iraq’s wealth extends beyond natural resources to include its historical and artistic legacy.
She revealed a forthcoming literary project featuring 60 stories. The collection includes 30 stories centered on Iraq, with three focused on Babylonian civilization. The Babylon Festival of Culture thereby served as both a cultural exhibition and a medium for promoting new intellectual output. Through literary, visual, and performance arts, the event reinforced Iraq’s cultural identity and artistic potential.
