Part II: The Destruction of Baghdad's Cultural Heritage

Director: Jens Hanssen
Editor: Folkard Fritz
Copyright: Iraqi Observatory, 2003

*See the full report here: http://www.ifla.org/VI/4/admin/iraq2107.pdf*

With recent attacks on American soldiers at Baghdad's several university campuses and the potential award of multimillion dollar
federal grants to American universities to aid in the rebuilding of the country's educational system, increasing attention has focused on the link between higher education and plans for reform in Iraq.

An international team of Middle East Studies professionals recently concluded a nine-day fact-finding mission in Iraq and has issued the first comprehensive independent assessment of academic conditions and
intellectual life in postwar Baghdad.

The 30-page report of the Iraq Observatory, "Opening the Doors: Intellectual Life and Academic Conditions in Post-War Baghdad," also includes a detailed account of the destruction of Iraq's National Library, and Archive and assesses the current status of remaining books and manuscripts.

This documentary was filmed during the Iraq Observatory's stay in Baghdad in late June 2003. It contains visual evidence of

1) the destruction of the National Archives and Library

2) the books saved by a Shi'a Clerical College in Sadr City

3) the looting of the Iraqi Academy of Science

4) student life in al-Mustansiriyya University

5) social life in al-Hewar Gallery

6) interior of a demolished 19th-century private residence

7) vulnerable historical fabric of 19th-century Baghdad


These themes are complemented by street images from Baghdad while the team was moving from place to place. The film ends with a view of the former presidential palace which the Coalition Provisional Authority has made its temporary headquarters.

Category:

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Tags:

• Education
• Archives
• Post-War
• Baghdad
• Invasion
• Iraq
• Hanssen
• University
• Observatory
• Culture
• Documentary
• Destruction

[blacklightwisdom]

the same thing that they did to the first true americans -aka indians - they are now doing to others ... don't know your history don't know your future