THE OTHER FRONTIER OF IRAQ

1 - Art Exhibition & Book Show
2 - Group for Iraqi traditional music
3 - Art Exhibition Tour, Poetry & Lecture about Jawad Salim & the Freedom Monument

In mid January, IAA (the Iraqi Artists Association) presented the first Iraqi Cultural Week in Michigan, entitled "The Other Frontier of Iraq". The event was designed to familiarize the community with the Iraqi and Iraqi-American Artists who are active in various fields as visual artists, composers and writers. This effort was to help people recognize Iraq's roots and build a better future.

IAA, in collaboration with Mesopotamia Art Gallery and with the generous support of Madonna University, helped broaden an appreciation for Iraq's rich history and culture, and thus, fostered understanding between the East and the West. By hosting IAA, Madonna University in Livonia provided Iraqi and Iraqi-American artists with a home and a community that encouraged their freedom of expression and provided them with support.

The following is a list of events, artists and other participants in the Iraqi Cultural Week:

January 16, 2008 - Opening reception and Book Show:
Speeches by:

Weam Namou-Yatooma, President of IAA
Dr. Ernest Nolan, Ph.D., Vice President of Madonna University
Dr. Jonathan Swift, Ph.D., Director of International Relations at Madonna University

The art tour was led by visual artist and historian Amer Hanna Fatuhi, IAA Director of Art and History. Assistant Professor Douglas Semivan also joined Mr. Fatuhi.

Participant Visual Artists:

Amer Hanna Fatuhi
Burhan Saleh Kirkukly
Farouk Kaspaules
Mazin Elia Al Sha'awi
Nadwa Qaragholi
Paul Batou
Zuhair Shaaouni
Ziad Majeed Haider (1954 2006)

The book show consisted of novels, dictionaries, and academic studies in the fields of art, history and science. There were four language categories: English, Arabic, Chaldean and Mendanian. Unfortunately, other Iraqi books in Kurdish, Turkish and Armenian, did not arrive in time to be displayed.

Authors:

Amer Fatuhi
Aser Abdul Rahman
Dr. Abdulah Marqus Rabi
Dr. Ali Abdul Amir
Dunia Mekhael
Fr. Michael Bizy
Fr. Emmanuel Al Rayyes
Fr. J. Yasso
Fr. Hanna Shikho
Ghazi Shafo
Lamia Abbas Umara
Majid Aziza
Marshal Garmo
Ninus Nirary
Noori Ammori
Paul Batou
Weam Namou
Yousif Miri
Zuhair Shaaouni

The event was covered by Iraqi Chaldean American TV (ICA) & Madonna TV.

January 19, 2008 - Music, Poetry Reading & a tour of the Iraqi Art exhibition

Iraqi traditional music by UR Group:

Ghada al Mekdesy (Ud, head of the group)
Alaa al Shakarchi (Qanoon)
Thamin Jabiro (Drum)
Ghassan Hami (Violin)
Raeed Hanna (Guitar)
Bassam Naem (Singer)

Poetry reading by Weam Namou, who read her work as well as poems by Paul Batou.

The event was covered by the Iraqi Chaldean American (ICA) TV (Mr. Sahir N. al-Malih).



January 23, 2008 - Lecture Series

A two-part lecture by the visual artist & historian Amer Hanna Fatuhi:

a) An introduction to modern Iraqi art as well as covering the issue of the pioneer Iraqi artist Issa Hanna Dabish (1919-Present) who is extremely sick and the Iraqi government is ignoring his condition. The only exception is his old friend (Prof. Dr. Abdulhadi Al-Khalili, esq.) who is now the Iraqi attaché in Washington, DC.

b) Discussion of the late pioneer artist Jawad Salim and his great achievement, the Freedom Monument, which is currently exposed to collapse in Baghdad (In Silence) !!!

A poetry reading by Weam Namou, which included her work as well as that of Paul Batou.

A documentary: Jawad Salim & the Freedom Monument produced by IAA, scenario by Amer Hanna Fatuhi, and directed by Zuhair Shaaouni

IAA would like to express its gratitude to the following media:

Iraqi American Media Network IAMN
Mr. Sahir N. al Malih & ICA TV
Al Hurra Iraqi Satellite TV
Ishtar Iraqi Satellite TV
Madonna TV
Radio SAWA
Voice of Tomorrow Radio
Middle East Radio
Detroit Free Press
Chaldean Detroit Times & its publisher Mr. Amir Denha
Chaldean News
Hometown Life
Eccentric
Arab Detroit
Oakland Observer

A special thanks to the following people and organizations:

-Pro. Dr. Stanley D. Williams, PhD, for covering the ICW on his blog and for providing IAA with a few photos that have been posted on our website and other Iraqi websites.
- Artist Zuhair Shaaouni who voluntarily directing the documentary "Jawad Salim & the Freedom Monument".
-Mesopotamia Art Gallery in Ferndale (www.mesopotamiaartgallery.com) for its strong collaboration, which helped make Iraqi Cultural Week a success.

IRAQI ARTISTS ASSOCIATION