- Title: IRAQ: Basra's art enthusiasts offer free lessons in public park
- Date: 29th October 2014
- Summary: BASRA, IRAQ (RECENT, 2014) (REUTERS) (NIGHTSHOTS) ARTISTS GATHERING IN PUBLIC PARK YOUNG PEOPLE SITTING ON GROUND PAINTING GROUP OF YOUNG MEN AND CHILDREN DRAWING MEN DRAWING CLOSE OF DRAWING VARIOUS OF PARTICIPANTS DRAWING AND PAINTING PAINTER HAZIM SALAM NASSIR TEACHING NASSIR DRAWING (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PAINTER HAZIM SALAM NASSIR, SAYING: "The Sumerian group was formed to promote artistic spirit among the families of Basra. We want to bring art to the streets of Basra. We want to abolish sectarianism and make children abandon playing with toy guns. They all came here to paint. They loved these gatherings and, God willing, we are working to further develop the idea." VARIOUS OF PARTICIPANTS DRAWING AND PAINTING (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PAINTER HAZIM SALAM NASSIR, SAYING: "There are no art or physical education classes here, pupils only know how to read and write. They learn science, maths, Islamic religion, Arabic language, but no art. They do not know art. I definitely want to convey art. Children are oppressed at home and at school. Either the child works or is preoccupied by the internet. Where is art? It has fallen into oblivion, it has definitely fallen into oblivion in Basra. We hope that through this move we will revive art in Basra." VARIOUS OF WOMEN DRAWING BOYS DRAWING VARIOUS OF ARTWORKS ON GROUND (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) YOUNG PAINTER ALI AL-RASSAM, SAYING: "As amateur painters we have benefited from the painters who are here to improve our technique and educate us whilst popularising art in Basra's society." BOY WORKING ON PORTRAIT PORTRAIT GIRLS DRAWING BOY RECEIVING FACE PAINT (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) YOUNG PAINTER MARIAM ZUHAIR, SAYING: "Winter is drawing close and it will be impossible for us to gather here in the cold and rain. We definitely need schools and academies where we can go and improve our talents and capabilities and get better education." BYSTANDERS WATCHING ART LESSONS
- Embargoed: 13th November 2014 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Iraq
- Country: Iraq
- Topics: Entertainment,General
- Reuters ID: LVACPJXBCPTBYYFQGCG6401O8AHN
- Story Text: A group of young artists in Basra have formed a group called 'Sumerians for Art' to give free lessons to beginner painters and drawers in Iraq's southern city.
The group chose a public park in the heart of the city as their venue for gatherings on Friday evenings, using Facebook to advertise the events.
"The Sumerian group was formed to promote artistic spirit among the families of Basra," said painter Hazim Salam Nassir.
"We want to abolish sectarianism and make children abandon playing with toy guns. They all came here to paint. They loved these gatherings and, God willing, we are working to further develop the idea," he added.
Participants receive instruction in drawing and painting with oils, watercolours, crayons and pastels.
Although southern Iraq is safer than in the darkest days of sectarian violence, many of its artists, filmmakers, musicians and performers say they are being stifled by religious conservatism and, with the government focused on reconstruction and security, missing the state support they once enjoyed.
Nassir is a former primary school teacher and says he is disappointed that the arts have been removed from the school curriculum.
"There are no art or physical education classes here, pupils only know how to read and write. They learn science, maths, Islamic religion, Arabic language, but no art. They do not know art," he said.
"Either the child works or is preoccupied by the internet. Where is art? It has fallen into oblivion," he added.
Under Saddam Hussein, the government commissioned paintings and sculptures, and funded orchestras and theatres, to glorify the nation and its dictator.
But since Saddam was toppled in 2003, Iraq has been dominated by Islamist political parties from the previously suppressed Shi'ite majority. Newly influential clerics deem enjoying painting, sculpture and music as a sin, and much of the official support has disappeared.
Nassir hopes his initiative will attract the attention of officials in Basra and encourage them to allocate a building to be used as a gallery and academy for learning.
"As amateur painters we have benefited from the painters who are here to improve our technique and educate us whilst popularising art in Basra's society," said young painter Ali al-Rassam.
"Winter is drawing close and it will be impossible for us to gather here in the cold and rain. We definitely need schools and academies where we can go and improve our talents and capabilities and get better education," said young painter Mariam Zuhair.
Iraq has a long and proud tradition in the arts. The relics of ancient Mesopotamia show that sculpture flourished here for millennia, and in the Islamic period, Iraq's cities were world-renowned centres of poetry and philosophy. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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