'Getting rid of the chaos inside me'
Young women attend unique ceramic painting workshop in Najaf to relieve stress
NAJAF — At Three Café in Najaf, young women gathered on Monday for a workshop focused on painting and decorating ceramic cups, offering a creative outlet aimed at relieving stress and daily pressures.
The workshop, which lasted for hours, allowed participants to engage in the relaxing art of pottery decoration. Asil Saleh, owner of Three Café, said the event was organized specifically for young women. “We, as women in this society, have very few opportunities to attend events and workshops. I organized this workshop specifically for young women to learn how to paint and decorate pottery cups because we lack such activities,” Saleh told 964media.
Participants said they enjoyed the experience. Laila Qais shared, “I suffer from work-related stress, and I found this workshop while browsing social media. I joined in the hope of getting rid of the chaos inside me. I truly enjoyed it and didn’t feel the time passing; it goes by quickly.”
Rusl Mohammed, another participant, emphasized the workshop’s novelty in the city. “This pottery workshop is the first of its kind in Najaf, specifically for girls. We hope for more similar workshops to learn the art of decoration and break the routine.”
Each participant chose personal designs for their ceramic cups. One attendee said, “I painted flowers because I love that aspect of art.”
Esraa Mohammed Ali described how the workshop allowed her to connect with her creativity. “I love this kind of workshop that reveals the creative side of a person. I painted traditional Baghdad heritage, old houses, and mosques, and when they appeared on the cup, it evoked a beautiful spiritual feeling.”
She added, “I enjoy activities that allow me to express myself without words and release my negative energy, bringing calmness.”
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