Iraq’s National Symphony Orchestra Holds Concert In Baghdad
Iraq’s national symphony orchestra staged a rare concert in Baghdad in what organisers said was an effort to preserve the nation’s cultural heritage despite years of warfare.
A repertoire of Arabic, Kurdish and classical Western compositions was played on Wednesday to an audience of 400 people including UN officials, diplomats, military officers and Iraqi lawmakers, according to the UN organisers.
The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq said the concert, held to mark the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, was intended to “remind the world of what Iraqis can offer and to preserve the country’s cultural heritage.
British guest conductor Oliver Gilmour shared in leading the performance with the orchestra’s own director, Iraq cellist Karim Wasfi.
“Without culture a country will literally pack up,” Gilmour told UN Radio, underscoring the crucial role played by the arts.
He said that a concert such as this is a source of price and “engenders a feeling of quasi-normality.”
Gilmour paid tributed to the orchestra, whose members represent different ethnic and religious groups.
“In many ways what they do is inspirational and it illustrates, I think, their indomitable spirit and the power of music,” he said.
(AFP)
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But wait, isn’t Iraq suffering under the turmoil of civil war and isn’t it a lost cause that we should just pick up and abandon, like yesterday?
Damn libtards!!!
May 22nd, 2008 at 5:15 am“…played to an audience of 400 people including UN officials, diplomats, military officers and Iraqi lawmakers.”
Erik
May 22nd, 2008 at 7:10 amI’ll bet there were even a few libtards at the concert - - the ones cupping their ears
Hey thats great news. Im not much for symphony orchestras, i do see the talent they all have just not my style. but this is a big deal for Iraq
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:03 am