Society and culture: Bagdad is declared the cultural capital of the Arab world in 2013

The day before the capital of Iraq was officially proclaimed the “cultural capital of the Arab world in 2013”. In this capacity, Bagdad will take a lot of events – concerts of famous artists, art exhibitions, dance performances, meetings with cultural workers.

The solemn opening, during which it was announced about the honorary status for Baghdad, was held in one of the parks in the city center. It was attended by famous cultural figures and prominent political figures.

The head of the Iraqi cabinet, addressing to the gathering people, said: “Baghdad was formerly a source of knowledge for the world. And today, thanks to the joint efforts of the Iraqis and their Arab brothers, the city strives to regain its place”.

Founded in the VIII century by order of the Abbasid caliph al-Mansur, Baghdad for centuries was one of the largest scientific and cultural centers not only of Arab, but the entire Muslim world. Among other things, the city was famous for its museums and libraries for centuries kept unique evidence of periods of greatest prosperity of Arab Caliphate.