Hundreds of families gather at Andalus Gardens for Basra winter festival

BASRA — The Andalus Gardens in Basra came alive as hundreds of families gathered to celebrate the “Welcome Winter” festival on Friday, organized by local volunteer teams. The event featured a variety of activities, from live music performances to highlighting the resilience of children battling cancer, organized in cooperation with the city’s main hospital.

The festival provided a space for artistic expression, including live music, poetry, and painting workshops. Attendees praised its uplifting atmosphere, particularly its focus on raising awareness and support for children with cancer.

Araf Abdulkarim, a local activist, told 964media, “This festival, supported by many volunteer campaigns, charity groups, and local artists, aims to shine a spotlight on children with cancer and the challenges they face.”

He continued, “The proceeds will directly benefit these children. We hope to see similar events in the future.”

Festival organizer Haider Jabbar explained that the “Winter in Basra” festival was designed to bring families together while celebrating the resilience and talents of children battling cancer. The event featured theatrical performances by local artists, with all proceeds allocated to supporting these children. He expressed hope that the festival would inspire similar initiatives in the future to continue aiding this cause.

Dr. Azar Abdul-Samad, an oncology specialist, highlighted the importance of such events for healthcare professionals and the children they support.

“The diversity in attendance and the celebration of culture are heartwarming, and the festival’s various activities, from art to poetry, shed light on the efforts within cancer treatment facilities,” Abdul-Samad added.